
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 


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THE STORY OF EDAH 


BY 

MARY RUTH EVANS 

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BKOADWAY PUBLISHING CO. 

835 Broadway, New York 
1914 


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Copyright , 1914 
By 

Mary Ruth Evans Swan 


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NOV -b 1814 



© Cl. A 3 9 3 1 2 5 
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THE AUTHOR 

flbls bool; Is dedicated in tender and lowing aftec 
tlon, to tbe memory of “one wbo was, and 
Is not, for ©od tooh ber.” 



41 When ’ Omer smote 5 is bloomin'* lyre , 

He^d 5 eard men sing by land and sea ; 

An 5 what he thought he might require , 

’2? and took— the same as me • 

7%^ market girls and fishermen 
The shepherds an* the sailors too , 

They ’ eard old songs turn up again 
But kep 5 — s&md yow, 

They knew he stole , ' e knew they knowed 
They didn’t tell nor make a fuss 

But winked at ’ Omer down the road 
And "*e winked back — the same as us 

Budyard Kipling • 


He said , 4 4 She shall he my slave ! 

Lesser in all than I; 

Feeble of body and brain . 

She shall carry a golden chain , 

And dwell until she die 

In the golden cage I gave ” 

And he found a treacherous creature of hate and 
fear , 

With teeth and claws that were ready when he came 
near ! 

He said , 44 She shall be my star!’ 

I will set her high above 
This dusty world of mine . 

I will bow me down at her shrine , 

Pray for the light of her love , 

And worship her from afar ” 

But he found that the light of her love had been 
withdrawn , 

Leaving only a faint chill pity , a faint chill scorn . 

He said , 4 4 She shall be my f riend! 5 
Z>2/ szofe let us stand , 

2/aw. 

Comrades true and true , 

my hand in your dear hand 
We will see life out to the end ” 

And she turned and her eyes met his ; and I think 
she cried ¥ 

{But she laughed through her tears) and she came 
to her place at his side . 


Thomas O’Meara 


THE STORY OF EDAH 


CHAPTER I. 

They were seated at a small table in the spacious 
drawing room of one of Denver’s hospitable homes. 
Their location was near the opening into the conserv- 
atory, and the soft splashing of the tiny fountain kept 
up a low accompaniment to the merry hum of voices, 
and the tinkle of china and silver. ’Twas one of the 
many functions given in honor of the wife of Colo- 
rado’s new Governor. 

The four at this particular table were old-time 
friends, and as course followed course, they kept up 
a running fire of small talk, commenting upon the 
guest of honor, her handsome costume, and the many 
other elaborate toilets on exhibition on this particular 
occasion. 

The youngest of the quartette sat with a half smil- 
ing look on her eager young face, as her eyes wan- 
dered about the well filled room — thoroughly enjoy- 
ing the light talk, the subdued hum of voices about 
her, the flower scented air, the splash of falling water 
in the conservatory nearby, and the soft far-away 
music of the hidden orchestra. It was evident that 
such scenes were not so familiar to her as to have lost 
their ability to charm. 

Gradually their conversation took a more serious 
turn. A new novel, and an interesting article in a 
late magazine were discussed — and quite naturally 

7 


8 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


they came to speak of their club, all of them, as it 
chanced, being members of the same one. 

They were speaking of the paper on Tolstoy read 
at their last meeting. One lady declared it to be, in 
her judgment, the best of the year, and turning to her 
young companion, said, 

“ Fm sorry you were not there to hear it, Edah ! ” 

“ Thank you. It is sweet to be remembered, to 
know one is missed/’ smiling at the speaker, an inti- 
mate friend of her aunt’s, “ but no one is half so 
sorry as I to miss not only the paper but the discus- 
sion, which I sometimes enjoy even more. Is it really 
true that Tolstoy does not believe in immortality?” 
turning to the friend on her right — the senior of the 
quartette by some years, a bright and shining light 
in the Club, and an authority in matters literary, 
historical, and philosophical, “ for,” she added, “ I’ve 
just purchased ‘ My Religion,’ but I shall not care 
to read it if he holds anything so contrary to plain 
Bible teaching.” 

“ I fear,” smiled her friend, “ you will either have 
to give it away, or let it stand unopened on your 
library shelf, for he certainly does not believe in 
Heaven or a future life, as we understand immor- 
tality to be.” 

The third member of the party, a large stout woman, 
elaborately dressed, with an air about her of being 
at peace with the world and herself, remarked, 
“ Edah, you should take up Christian Science. It is 
just what you need! You would quit worrying about 
the baby, and your mind would be at rest concerning 
such weighty matters as immortality, fore-ordination, 
predestination, and justification by faith,” and her 
large body shook with inward laughter. Recovering, 
“ really, you know, there is no such thing as sin, sick- 
ness, or death.” 

The lady at Edah’s right, a thorough Calvinist, 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


9 


rooted and grounded in the faith, and perfectly able 
to give any number of reasons for the belief that 
was in her, took up the challenge thrown out by the 
last speaker, and from that time on until the repast 
was ended, Edah listened to the discussion, which at 
times waxed warm for and against the new doctrine. 

At the signal the guests arose from the tables, the 
four friends separated to speak with other acquaint- 
ances, and the noise of conversation and cheerful 
laughter broke out afresh. 

Soon the adieux were said, and the waiting car- 
riages and motors drove up to receive their fair own- 
ers. Edah and a friend passed out together, and 
walked down Fourteenth street. The short February 
afternoon was fast merging into twilight — the sun had 
already gone behind the snowy range, and the air was 
clear and sharp. 

“ Do look at that beautiful sight ! ” said Edah, 
lifting her eyes to the snow capped mountains, over 
which hung a rosy light. “ I love those everlasting 
hills ; they rest and calm me always. We make new 
religions, change or modify the old ones ; states and 
governments arise and disappear — generations of men 
come and go, and through it all they stand fixed and 
immutable, always the same. Yes,” she added, “ they 
make me feel so tranquil.” 

“It is really beautiful, but why so solemn? I 
caught an occasional word of some deep religious 
discussion you were having at your table. That’s 
what comes of having so many old lady friends. We 
weren’t having any musty old debate at our table, I 
can assure you,” and she laughed gaily, adding more 
soberly, “ but then, you always were given over to 
weighty matters, more or less.” Edah smiled and 
wished for the moment she could take things as 
easily as her light hearted companion. 

They had turned north on Champa street, while 


10 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


speaking, toward Edah’s home. “ If you are really 
interested to know, I will tell you why I am so solemn, 
as you say. That same discussion has rather upset 
me— Calvinism versus Christian Science. The more 
I hear of the latter doctrine or belief, the more I am 
impressed.” 

“ In what way, favorably ?” 

“ No, far from it. A vague feeling of alarm takes 
possession of me. The old faith of my ancestors 
seems to be slipping away. If it was good enough for 
them to live and die by, why is it not good enough for 

us?” 

“ I’m a little surprised at you, Edah ! Just stop 
and think how many religious sects there are in 
Christendom, all of which had their day of beginning, 
and this is only another of them. Even your own 
‘ pet brand ’ only dates back to the Reformation.” 

“ And I am surprised at you,” said Edah. “ Our 
‘ pet brand ’ as you are pleased to call it, dates back 
to the days of St. Paul. But corrupt forms and 
errors had crept into the Church until at the time of 
the Reformation it was sadly in need of just such 
an overhauling as it received at that time. But look, 
isn’t that a darling picture ! ” and all disquieting re- 
ligious discussions took instant flight. 

The sight the two women gazed upon certainly 
justified the exclamation. 

Between the parted lace curtains of one of the 
front windows of an artistic little cottage, stood the 
baby figure of a little child, her round dimpled face 
looking all the fairer because of the pale blue dress 
she wore. Behind her, the room glowed with a soft 
light from the open grate. 

“ Edah Brown,” said her friend, “ I should think 
you would be the happiest person alive, with such a 
lovely little home, and darling baby. I’m half in- 
clined to envy you,” thoughtlessly forgetting her 
friend’s widowed state. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


ii 


" Don’t do it,” said Edah, “ but instead come in 
with me awhile — I promise to share Anne’s attrac- 
tions and attentions with you, and will see that you 
get safely home later.” 

“ Thank you my dear, not now — some other time. 
I am going out this evening, and must rest awhile 
before dinner.” 

The two friends parted — Edah lightly running up 
the front steps, smiling the while, and throwing 
kisses from her finger tips to the little one at the 
window. She entered the small parlor which was 
most tastefully furnished, laid aside her wraps and 
stood a moment by the warm fire before seating her- 
self in a low rocker to take the child in her arms, all 
the while chatting merrily with baby, who was re- 
sponding in her own fashion to the best of her ability. 

“ Katie,” as she turned to the nurse, “ has Anne 
had her supper?” 

“ She just finished as you came,” replied Katie, 
who, with Edah’s valuable assistance, was nurse, 
housemaid, and cook.” 

Since her husband's death, when their baby girl 
was scarcely a year old, she had lived alone with her 
nurse and child, in a very simple way. Aside from 
her literary club and an occasional luncheon, after- 
noon reception, or tea, Edah attended few social 
functions. She had many friends, for she had lived 
there from a child. Left an orphan at an early age, 
she had made her home with an aunt, whose family 
had moved to Denver from their Eastern home when 
Edah was seven years of age. So she had grown up 
in their midst — graduated from high school, and mar- 
ried the same year at the age of seventeen. Some 
said she might have done better — but then people 
have to say something. 

He was many years Edah’s senior. Traveling for 
a Chicago firm, he was away from home much of the 


12 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


time. But she was happy in the home he provided for 
her, which her innate artistic taste had made very 
attractive. 

She grieved sorely over her husband’s death, which 
had occurred while away from home on one of his 
trips. She had been hastily summoned but before 
she could reach his bedside, pneumonia had done its 
worst. 

She was young, therefore naturally light hearted, 
besides his long absences from home had helped to 
make it more easy for her to recover from her sin- 
cere and honest grief. 

A beautiful picture they made in the rosy fire- 
light. The tall tawny-haired young mother with her 
clear skin and rich coloring, and the love light shin- 
ing in her dark eyes. Nestling on her bosom the 
rounded form and golden hair of her fairy child. 

The favorite stories had been told — the pink toes 
and fingers had been “ said ” several times, and baby’s 
eyes were getting heavy. 

The silver toned clock on the mantel chimed out 
the half hour. 

“ Come now, the clock says time for Anne to go 
to bed.” 

“ No, no, more ’tory, more ’tory.” 

But with a promise of the chickie song, and a little 
diverting, she was carried unresisting off to bed. 

After the little white robed body had been snugly 
“ tucked in,” and the good-night kisses showered on 
neck and cheek, Edah seated herself by the bed, and 
in a low voice sang the lullaby she had always sung 
to the baby. 

“ Sleep, baby, sleep, the long shadows are falling, 

And down in the garden the pretty white hen 

With a cluck and a cackle, she’s sleepily calling 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


13 


Her loved ones together, her little ones ten. 

She broods soft above them, the downy wee things 
That hide in the shade of her motherly wings. 
And chickens and babies to slumberland creep 
Sleep, baby, sleep; sleep, baby, sleep.” 

Once, twice, she sang it through, by that time baby 
was soundly sleeping. She arose quietly, and bend- 
ing down, kissed the dimpled hand lying uncovered 
on the white counterpane — turned off the light and 
passed out, leaving the door open into the lighted 
hall, and descended the stairs. 

After building up a bright fire she seated herself 
once more in front of it, and gazed abstractedly at 
the little blue jets of flame shooting up through the 
fresh coal. Her mind again reverted to the discus- 
sion of the afternoon, arousing once more some old 
lingering doubts that she hoped had been laid forever. 

“If Calvinism were the only true rendering of the 
gospel teaching, why were there so many able and 
learned people who not only did not accept it — but 
actually read a different meaning into their Bibles ? ” 
She had often puzzled over the matter, for she knew 
“ there were as profound thinkers in other denom- 
inations as in her own — and she must accord them 
the merit of being honest.” 

“ And now here were numbers of her friends, tak- 
ing up this new faith which was so plainly at vari- 
ance with the teachings of scripture.” 

“No sin, no sickness, no death,” how monstrous! 
yet there must be something to it, else her friends 
and so many others would not accept its teaching. 

The longer she dwelt upon it, the more disturbed 
and unhappy she felt. She seemed to be slipping off 
the firm foundation of her old faith on to sinking 
sand. She would not, could not go without a strug- 
gle — and yet at the same time had a depressing feel- 


14 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


in g that she was powerless to help herself. Some- 
thing, she knew not what, was working within her 
soul. 

Hearing Katie fixing the furnace for the night, 
she roused herself and determined to put such dis- 
quieting thoughts out of her mind, “ till a more con- 
venient season,” and reaching for her Bible that had 
been her Rock of Defense, and her Refuge, in the 
past, sought comfort where she had found it so many 
times before. 

Edah was religious both by birth and training. 
She could not remember the time when she was not 
in Sunday School, either as pupil or teacher. 

Reverently turning the sacred pages, she chose the 
fortieth chapter of Isaiah, beginning so beautifully 
with “ Comfort ye, Comfort ye, my people, saith 
your God.” By the time she had finished, her soul 
was once more calm and serene. 

She arose and looked after the doors and win- 
dows — a little formality she invariably went through 
after Katie had been the rounds, covered her fire, 
turned out the lights and went upstairs to bed. 

Long and lovingly she gazed on the rosy features 
of her darling child, and as always, the last thing 
before closing her eyes for the night, she knelt by the 
little bed, and prayed that He who “ watches over the 
sparrows,” would keep them “ under the shadow of 
his wing.” 

'Twas well for Edah, 'tis well for us, that future 
happenings are hidden from sight. 


JHE STORY OF EDAH. 


15 


CHAPTER II. 

A few short weeks had rolled away and it was 
near the close of March. The day was cold and 
gray — the sun had not been able to penetrate the 
cloudy veil which hung low over mountain and plain, 
and a bitter, dreary wind had been blowing since 
morning. 

It was late in the afternoon when a carriage drove 
up and stopped in front of the attractive cottage on 
Champa street. Two ladies and a gentleman alighted 
and walked slowly up the steps. The tall lady in 
black involuntarily glanced toward the window, then 
hastily covered her eyes with her hands, as if she 
would shut out some unwelcome sight. She staggered 
and would have fallen had it not been for the 
protecting arm of the man at her side, who assisted 
her into the house. 

The sight of a belated arrival of white carnations 
or their heavy perfume in the closed room overcame 
her and she sank back in her uncle’s arms, and for a 
time at least, forgot her heart was breaking. 

The trained nurse, who had not left the house, 
was ready for- the not unexpected occurrence, and 
the poor bereft young mother was brought back to a 
dull conciousness of her desolation. 

Seeing Katie with her swollen, tear-stained face, 
entering with a cup of tea on a tray, she threw herself 
down among the pillows of the Davenport upon which 
she had been sitting and burst into violent weeping. 


i6 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


There was not a dry eye present but all looked the 
relief they felt at sight of Edah’s tears. Her silent, 
wide-eyed misery had been pitiful to behold. 

“ Oh ! ” she cried, “ other — other — hands than — than 
mine — ca — cared for my darling. How — how could 
I — have done it ! how — how could I ! ” choking with 
sobs while she wrung those delinquent hands in an 
agony of remorse. “ In — in — the supreme moment — 
her mother — failed her ! ” the words ending almost in 
a shriek. 

Her aunt tried in vain to comfort her. “ Edah 
dear, you would never have forgiven yourself had you 
not done just what you did. Everything that was 
possible was done, so do not reproach yourself you 
poor dear child,” trying to soothe by loving caress as 
well as with comforting words. But there was no 
comfort in sight for that anguished soul. 

Miss Palmer came with a tablet, but she turned her 
head aside and put out a protesting hand. “ Can’t 
you see I’ve — I’ve — nothing left to live for? Let me 
die ! ” 

But the nurse was persistent — she knew, they all 
knew, that the young do not die so easily — that in all 
probability she would live to suffer other sorrows 
than this ere that time should come. Miss Palmer 
whose experience was not small, finally succeeded in 
getting her patient to bed and had the satisfaction 
of seeing her medicine take effect in a fitful, uneasy 
sleep which gradually grew more natural as the 
hours passed. In the four days of her baby’s illness 
no one knew if she had slept at all. 

After the two had gone from the room Mrs. Van 
Alan, Edah’s aunt, a short, stout, middle-aged lady 
said to her husband, “If only she had not insisted on 
coming back here! I’m very uneasy about her — 
Don’t you think we would better send for Dr. 
Graham ? he might be able to help her reach a 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 17 

happier state of mind — she will certainly make her- 
self sick if she goes on like this ! ” 

“ Well, my dear, do as you like. I think the nurse 
is going to handle the situation all right; besides he 
was here quite awhile this morning and his remarks 
this afternoon were very beautiful and comforting 
I thought.” 

“ Yes, yes, I know — but perhaps if he were to see 
her now — I’m sure I don’t know how to comfort the 
poor child,” and she wiped the tears from her own 
eyes. 

When Miss Palmer returned to the living room a 
little later, with her finger to her lips and a reassur- 
ing nod to their questioning looks both felt a great 
relief ; and before long quiet reigned in the little 
home, which for the past few days had been so full 
of activity and sounds of childish suffering. 

It was small wonder that the poor young mother 
was prostrated with grief : she had so recently lived 
through the sorrow incident to the death of her hus- 
band, only to be overwhelmed and crushed by one 
greater wherein she was called upon to part with all 
that was left. 

The child had been taken violently ill from the 
start with scarlet fever. Edah, frantic with grief at 
once called in a trained nurse realizing that the very 
little knowledge she possessed in caring for the sick, 
was not now available in her distracted frame of 
mind. Later* two nurses and two doctors fought 
every inch of contested ground, but — death won out. 

Her uncle and aunt who were wintering in 
Florida had been summoned at once, but did not 
reach Denver in time to see little Anne, their pride 
and their darling, till after the baby spirit had taken 
its flight. 


i8 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


That night's troubled, restless sleep did not repair 
the havoc caused by her grief and shock — nor that 
of many following ones. 

Miss Palmer stayed with her a couple of weeks — - 
but hers was a sickness of heart and soul more than 
physical illness. 

The cause of her most poignant suffering still 
seemed to be the thought that she had allowed others 
to nurse her baby when it was the very last time she 
herself could ever have the opportunity! 

“ I’m sure my baby wanted me/’ she reiterated 
over and over again. The thought was maddening 
but she could not get away from it. 

Upon one of her aunt’s visits, Miss Palmer sug- 
gested taking Mrs. Brown home with her, adding 
“ I don’t believe she will ever get well here. What 
she needs is a complete change of scene and sur- 
roundings.” 

“ I doubt if she will come,” remembering her niece’s 
determination of character. 

“ I think she will, when I suggested it she did not 
offer any objections. Poor thing! she is limp as a 
rag every way. That idea of hers about not nursing 
her baby through its illness, amounts almost to an 
obsession with her!” 

“ It is so sweet of you not to mind, for really you 
know, she means no reflection upon yourself.” 

“ I understand that fully — it is the result of a su- 
persensitive conscience on her part. She has begged 
my pardon several times and really tries not to men- 
tion it.” 

The first fine day that came found Mrs. Van Alan’s 
automobile in front of the little home, now grown so 
awful to Edah. The nurse assisted her patient down 
the steps and into the waiting car and took her place 
by her side and silently and swiftly they were wheeled 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


19 

away from the material reminders of the sorrowful 
events of the past few weeks. 

Edah never went back. 

When Mrs. Van Alan became convinced Edah 
was determined in her resolve to sell the place, she 
offered to attend to the packing of her household 
effects. 

“ Thank you, aunt, you are so good to me — but you 
need not have that trouble for I’m going to sell 
everything but the things that belonged to my darling 
baby. All her belongings and the photographs you 
find, please put in Charlie’s trunk, and it can be 
brought here and put in the attic ! ” 

“ I’m afraid you’ll be sorry, my dear,” objected 
her aunt : “ they can be stored for a year or two and 
never give you any bother,” she urged. 

“ No, I shall never want them again,” said Edah 
mournfully but with decision. 

The tasteful, harmonious furnishings helped sell 
the once loved home, and it was not long before 
strangers came and went from the house that had 
held so much for Edah of joy and happiness and 
later of tears and sorrow. 

The raw chilly winds, dust storms and occasional 
snows of Denver’s Spring had finally given place to 
June’s delightful days. 

Edah’s friends had all been so kind and sympa- 
thetic, and her aunt had endeavored by all the means 
in her power, to turn her self-centered niece’s mind to 
other things, but all to no purpose it seemed. It was 
only after much persuasion that she consented to 
accompany her aunt to Manitou. 

She had always loved it there. The sparkling 
atmosphere of that delightful resort nestled at the 
foot of the great Peak, with the rugged mountain 
scenery all about, had been like wine to her young 


20 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


blood, at the same time rousing the most reverent and 
deeply religious feelings within her. But the God of 
Nature called not now to her from out that splendid 
solitude. 

In vain did her friends plan little excursions for 
her entertainment. The Garden of the Gods no 
longer had any charm — the Cave of the Winds had 
ceased to please and even the wild, rugged scenery 
of Cheyenne Canon no longer stirred an enthusiastic 
emotion. 

Mrs. Van Alan, after weeks of futile endeavor, 
packed her trunks, took her niece and returned home — 
glad of its spacious rooms, rest and quiet and the 
good things to eat which her expensive cook knew so 
well how to fashion to suit her rather exacting taste. 

’Twas late afternoon, one of those cool days in 
August which sometimes swoops down upon Denver 
from her neighboring mountain heights; the auto- 
mobile was in front and Mrs. Van Alan waited im- 
patiently for her companion, seeing without noting 
the splendid preparations the sun was making for a 
glorious descent behind those fixed and everlasting 
hills. Presently she heard her niece’s step descend- 
ing the stair and with slow, listless manner Edah 
emerged from the door- way and joined her aunt, look- 
ing pale and thin in her mourning. The bright, glad 
look in her beautiful brown eyes, revealing the loving, 
cheerful soul within, which had been her chief attrac- 
tion, was now changed to one of apathy. Had it not 
been for her tall and graceful carriage and her in- 
describable hair, she would have appeared almost 
plain. 

Together they moved on down the steps without 
speaking and took their places in the waiting car. 

Away they sped over streets as smooth as the 
floor. The chauffeur knew Edah’s favorite drives and 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


21 


headed his car for the boulevard and country. He 
also divined by subtle instinct that she liked to “ cut 
the air,” as he expressed it, “ at a gait that was worth 
while : ” but that had to be accomplished rather warily, 
and at separated intervals, for Mrs. Van Alan’s, 
“ Banks, you must be driving more than eighteen 
miles an hour,” caused a reduction of speed only to 
be gradually accelerated until again called down; all 
of which offered more amusement to Edah than the 
ride itself. 

Mrs. Van Alan opened the low-toned conversation 
with the remark : “I do think, Edah, that you are 
growing selfish in your sorrow. Here your uncle and 
I have done everything we can think of to make life 
more endurable for you and you won’t even make an 
effort to be cheerful ! It is most depressing to have 
a person around who is so morbid and mournful all 
the while. Not that I would think of that,” she went 
on hastily as she saw a faint color come into Edah’s 
face, “ but your conduct is really unbecoming that of 
a Christian. Others have had as great sorrow as yours 
— their loved ones have been taken away but they have 
not therefore wrapped themselves about with a man- 
tle of grief and refused to see the Hand of the Lord 
in it all. As I said before, it is positively unchristian 
and if I were you I should really be afraid to act in 
that manner, if no higher motive prompted.” 

Suddenly her voice changed and she said in a tone 
of entreaty, “ Now, Edah, dear, why don’t you take 
up your music again, it will help fill in the time and 
gradually your old love for it will return?” 

While her aunt was speaking, something which of 
late had been floating hazily around in her niece’s 
mind seemed suddenly to crystalize ; her eye lost its 
dull uninterested look, she straightened up her body 
as if a new resolve had seized her. 

“ Dear, Aunt,” she said, impulsively clasping that 


22 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


lady's hand, “ I know I have seemed ungrateful but I 
did not mean it so, please forgive me,” and the tears 
sprang to her eyes. “ I have been so wretched that, as 
you say, I have not thought of others. As to the 
music — my heart is certainly not attuned to melody ; — 
the very thought is hateful ! But there is one thing,” 
speaking very low, “ that does appeal to me — I should 
like to learn how to take care of the sick.” A 
spasm of pain crossed her face as she added, “ it is, 
as the proverb says, like locking one's door after his 
treasure has been taken.” Without giving her aunt an 
opportunity to speak, rightly judging that her remark 
would stir up opposition, she continued, “ I should 
like to go into the children's ward of a large hospital, 
and begin at the beginning and learn it all. Don’t you 
think uncle could arrange it for me? ” 

“ Why, Edah Brown, you’re certainly not in earn- 
est!” exclaimed her dumfounded relative. “ In the 
first place your health will not permit of such a 
thing — you look more as if you needed a nurse your- 
self. Then I believe that one can’t pick her work 
when she goes into training; all sorts and conditions 
of men and women, and all sorts of diseases, is what 
you will have to face. Besides you don’t need to take 
up anything for a livelihood — your house sold well, 
and the interest on that and your husband’s life in- 
surance will be quite a nice income ; and you know 
our home is yours as long as you care to stay with 
us.” 

Mrs. Van Alan had visions of helping her niece 
make a second marriage which in all respects would 
be a more fitting and brilliant one than the first. It 
had all been so sudden. She had been caught un- 
guarded — taken unawares — and the wedding was an 
accomplished fact and the happy couple gone on their 
way to honeymoon-land amid a shower of rice, old 
shoes and good wishes ere she had time to catch her 
breath. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


23 


She thought she understood her niece’s character 
better now: she had made a fatal mistake in misjudg- 
ing the gentle, affectionate, bidable young girl, and 
was completely surprised and outflanked when she had 
tried to stop proceedings. 

Edah had shown a spirit of determination most un- 
expected. “ Yes,” she had profited by past experi- 
ence. A nurse, indeed ! ” 

“ Thank you, you dear, good aunt. No home will 
ever seem so dear to me again, and I never, never can 
repay you and uncle for all you have been to me ” — 
and her voice choked. After an effort at self-control 
“ please don’t be angry with me — but I feel I must do 
this thing.” 

The evening air was growing chilly. Mrs. Van 
Alan, although greatly vexed, had no intention of 
giving up her secretly cherished plans at the first 
signs of opposition. 

“ Drive home, Banks,” and the ride was finished in 
silence. 

Later on in the evening Edah laid the matter before 
her uncle, earnestly soliciting his help and co-opera- 
tion. From the first he viewed the project favorably 
but no decision was reached — her aunt holding out 
obstinately against it. 

It was only after several more conferences, in 
which Mrs. Van Alan remained bitterly opposed, that 
Edah finally decided to again act in opposition to her 
aunt’s wishes, although it grieved her sorely to do so. 

This offense was never fully forgiven. 

After the matter was settled — and letters sent out 
to various hospitals in New York and Chicago — 
new life seemed to enter her veins. She went about 
her final preparations for leaving with an amount of 
energy and interest that quite surprised herself. She 
thought she had done with life and was only waiting 
for death, but — she was young, and had not taken 
that fact into consideration. 


24 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


By some chance, probably a “ pull ” effected by her 
uncle — she was entered in a large private hospital on 
the south side of Chicago and was to report for duty 
October first. Edah was almost sorry the date was 
not earlier; but then there were things to be done — 
things which had been neglected these last months. 

When not out of town she had been in her place in 
the Sabbath School and perfunctorily taught her class 
of little girls, which had been hers the past few years 
— ever since they left the primary. She had often 
visited them in their homes and they had enjoyed the 
hospitality of hers. She was fond of them individ- 
ually and collectively and they returned her kindly 
feelings with interest. 

Edah made an effort to find a successor to herself — 
some one who would be sincerely interested in them 
and keep them together until her return — “ For/’ she 
pictured to herself, “ here is where I’ll come to prac- 
tice my chosen profession ” — “ In Memoriam ” — “ for 
her dear sake,” as she wiped away the tears. 

Her last Sunday at home dawned beautifully bright 
but Edah’s spirits were not in harmony with the day. 
It was much harder to leave than she had thought, 
besides she shrank from the untried and unknown 
life ahead of her. 

She left home early to walk to the church, she 
would have that time in which to compose her agi- 
tated feelings and regain something of her normal 
state. The brisk walk through the fresh crisp air and 
sunshine did put new courage and hope within her 
and she got through the service hour and the good- 
bye of friends better than she had hoped. 

As she left the gray stone church, she said in her 
heart a reverent farewell. Here she had come when 
scarcely more than a child to unite herself with the 
people of God, in the Church He had established. 
God had seemed very near to her there in times that 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


25 


were past and she fervently prayed that the new 
church home which awaited her elsewhere would 
give her the same feelings of peace, tranquillity and 
worship that had blessed her in this dear old place. 

But saying farewell to that sacred bit of ground in 
the cemetery was very hard. She had spent so many 
hours in that holy quiet spot and it would be so long 
before she might see it again. 

People, those who mourned for loved ones laid in 
that peaceful retreat, and young, unthinking Sunday 
afternoon strollers looked with tender pity as they 
passed, at the black shrouded figure crouched low 
over a tiny mound in an attitude of absorbing grief. 

When the shadows were lengthening, her uncle and 
aunt returned for her and a very unhappy and sorrow- 
ful niece was assisted into the machine. Her unsee- 
ing eyes did not take in the beauty of that September 
evening which seemed to have been made for her 
last impressions. 

The summer had lingered unusually long and no 
killing frosts had changed its late beauty. The 
woodbine clung in its fervid gorgeousness to chapel 
walls and masonry. The dark green of the spruce 
and pines contrasted with the changing colors of the 
deciduous trees and the geraniums, petunias, fuchsias, 
and other gay blooming plants still brightend the 
shadowy sombreness of the place. 

The broad valley stretching away — down and up to 
the foothills, was bathed in a rosy mist, while beyond 
was the towering mountain wall that blocked the way 
into the sunset, whose summit's uneven line was now 
sharply defined against the glowing west while purple 
shadows clustered at its feet. 

’Twas Nature’s impressive appeal to look beyond 
the little grassy mound — “ Beyond the confines of the 
tomb,” to Life — the Present and the Now. 


26 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER III. 

’Twas a cold rainy day the 30th of September 
when Edah stepped from the taxicab and walked up 
the broad entrance of the large building which was 
to be her home for the next three years. It looked 
so uninviting, positively forbidding, and she thought 
of her life there with sinking feelings. 

The depressing weather had gotten onto her spirits, 
following the breaking away from home and the 
irrevocable plunge into new and untried conditions. 
But Edah had character and pluck and she resolutely 
shut out her timid fears and homesickness, feeling as 
she walked by the side of the nurse who acted as 
guide “ that here at least she would be too busy to 
think of other things than present duties,” and she 
entered the presence of the formidable head nurse 
with a proud carriage. 

She was given a small private room, which had 
been one of the concessions obtained through the 
“ pull,” and a number of instructions as to her duties 
and dismissed until the following morning. 

Edah found her work that first year seldom attrac- 
tive — at times repulsive — but the lectures she enjoyed 
and was a very apt, eager learner. 

She was not long in making the discovery that the 
nurses flirted dreadfully with the internes when occa- 
sion permitted, and that she herself was not an object 
of indifference to the house physician. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


27 


She was greatly appreciative of the many little kind- 
nesses he showed her in a quiet, unobtrusive way, but 
which were in a measure offset by the actions of the 
head nurse, as well as several of the other nurses, 
who did not fancy her proud reserve. She evidently 
had come from a plane of life with which many of 
them were unacquainted. Edah had not intended to 
give the impression of aloofness, but her sorrow, for 
one thing, had walled her about — making it difficult 
for both them and herself. 

The days and the weeks passed — full of work. The 
training was doing great things for her physically ; 
the constant grieving could not be indulged in and 
the reflex action of the mind upon the body, coupled 
with the simple regularity of her life, worked won- 
ders. She was beautiful with the glow of health, 
which makes for attraction even in the plainest per- 
son, which she certainly was not. 

So passed the first year of mingled drudgery, 
distaste and activity. 

One day early in the summer of her second year she 
received a letter from her aunt saying they would be 
there the following week, enroute to New York 
where they had taken passage for Europe, “ to be 
gone an indefinite length of time.’' The news was 
not a surprise, for Edah had been urgently invited to 
make one of the party when the matter was first talked 
of and the temptation had been strong: had it come 
the preceding year it would probably have been 
irresistible and her life so changed as to be wholly 
foreign to that in which her feet were now set. 

The two days Edah spent with Mr. and Mrs. Van 
Alan were full of pleasure and real delight. Out 
into the great city with her foster father and mother 
and away from the rigid rules and regulations which 
were more than irksome at times to her free loving 
spirit : and the theater, which Edah had not allowed 


28 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


herself for so many, many months was truly 
enchanting. 

As the three were driving back to the hospital her 
uncle said, “ your business interests will be as care- 
fully looked after by Lawson as if I were there; and 
before I left we placed your unspent income to good 
advantage.” If at any time you should need an extra 
large draft — in case of sickness or a change of heart 
as to Europe ” — and he smiled into his niece’s face, 
but Edah saw approval of her decision to stick to 
duty plainly written in his eyes — “ Do not hesitate to 
make it, the funds are there.” 

“ You are more than good to me, uncle, but I can’t 
forecast any need for such — I do not look as if I 
were going to be ill do I ? ” gaily, “ and I’ve quite 
settled that unstable heart of mine concerning Europe 
- — although it would be nice,” and she patted her aunt’s 
gloved hand, and gave the tiniest bit of a sigh. 

“ You will write me nice long letters, telling me of 
all the thrilling things you and uncle are seeing and 
doing and it will be almost as nice as being with you, 
See? ” and she affected to be very jolly over it. She 
laughed and chatted of funny incidents in her nursing 
experience so the words “ Europe,” “ trip ” might not 
again be mentioned; and she succeeded in conveying 
the idea that she was quite happy to be left behind 
and that hospital life was altogether delightful. 

She got through with her adieux creditably, and 
threw a cheerful parting salute as she turned to watch 
them drive away, but as she came slowly up the steps 
the repressed tears would come and she did not notice 
the house physician standing outside the door in con- 
versation with someone, until right upon them. She 
murmured an apology and bowed in acknowledgment 
of the doctor’s greeting. 

Going to her room, she threw herself on the bed 
and cried it out. “ She hated the bare unattractive 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


29 


place, full of the smell of disinfectants ! ” and she 
found nothing to charm in the diminutive room which 
was to be her home for another year and a half. “ It 
was all positively hateful to her, — how had she ever 
stood it ! ” 

“ Why, why was I such a fool ! ” 

But her aunt and uncle were even then at the 
station and their boat was leaving the next day after 
their arrival in New York — so there would have to be 
quick action on her part if she decided to reconsider 
at this the eleventh hour. But she knew way down 
inside of ' her that she did not intend to change her 
plans, and feeling somewhat the better for her little 
outburst, she arose, bathed her tear-stained face, 
donned her nurse’s garb and decending the stairs 
reported for duty. 

Seeing the house physician entering his office, she 
recalled the stranger who had been in conversation 
with him at the door. Although ’twas only a glance 
caught through tears, still there was no mistaking that 
splendid head which sat the broad shoulders so well. 
She had caught glimpses of him several times passing 
through the hall on his way in or out and she secretly 
admired him very much. 

She judged he must be in some way financially 
connected with the institution — “ a member of the 
board of directors perhaps.” He was of medium 
height, but carried himself so that every inch counted 
for its full worth. She thought his eyes were blue 
and she knew he had light hair inclined to curl, but 
which was cut very close to obviate as much as 
possible any such tendency. 

She was very curious to know who and what 
he was — all about him ; “ probably some married man 
for all she knew, and for all the difference it could 
possibly ever make to her, but to ask one of the nurses 
was not to be thought of,” although she doubtless 


30 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


could have been informed, for they managed to find 
out a great deal about any and every thing that 
touched their world. 

Since the beginning of her second year Edah had 
been given several critical cases, in which she had 
really done most creditable work. Her heart was 
in it, especially when called to take care of children. 

But at her first surgical case, in conjunction with 
a senior nurse, she so nearly fainted that she had to 
be dismissed. She was terribly mortified over the 
occurrence, mainly because she had been “ found want- 
ing ” at the critical time, but also on account of 
sundry ill-concealed glances of ridicule and secret 
delight on the part of some of the other nurses and it 
was no imagination with Edah that Miss Ramsay 
entertained the same feeling. That individual left 
her out of future surgical cases till finally she ven- 
tured to entreat Dr. Wright to see what he could do 
about it. 

“ I really think I could get through it another time — 
if only given an opportunity,” she pleaded. 

There was a twinkle in his eye as he replied, “ Well, 
I will see what I can do, but Miss Ramsay does not 
take kindly to any infringement of her prerogatives, 
you know.” 

“ Thank you, Dr. Wright,” laughing, “ I’ll try not 
disgrace you another time,” as she moved away with- 
out giving him a chance to say more. 

It was not so very long after that she was told she 
was to have a surgical case all her own. It was to be 
a minor operation — a child of five was to have his 
tonsils and adenoids removed the next morning. 

Edah was herself this time — interested, eager, cheer- 
ful, faithful and untiring. 

An outside surgeon performed the operation, but 
Dr. Wright with a number of the internes was 
present. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


3i 


He was more than pleased with the cool, steady 
way in which her share of the work was done, and 
lingered a while to tell her so. 

Edah was grateful but did not leave any opening 
for further talk. 

As Dr. Wright passed down the hall he was 
still seeing the tall, beautiful brown-eyed nurse with 
the shifting colored hair as she moved about with 
deftness, quietness and precision — at the same time 
realizing that for some reason and in some respects 
he was almost as much of a stranger to her as at their 
first meeting. 

The little patient was not long in the hospital but 
there had been time enough for the two to become fast 
friends, and Edah felt very forlorn without him and 
ill-prepared for the trying day that followed his dis- 
charge. 

A child had died in the ward while she was on duty 
which upset her very much. The mercury had been 
soaring about in the nineties all day ; now it was night 
and her small room was stifling. Sleep was out of 
the question — so after undressing she turned off the 
light and was sitting by the open window looking up 
into the starlit sky. 

Since coming to the hospital she had seemed to 
put religion out of her life. There was no hostility — 
she had simply grown cold and careless — scarcely 
thought of those things which had been so much 
to her prior to her baby’s death. Her busy, interested, 
active life, so new and different had shut out all else. 

The stars which had always been her admiration 
and wondering awe might as well have been so many 
lamps set in the sky which only added to the oppress- 
ive heat. 

But whether she wished it or no, the psychological 
moment had come — the combination was just right 
and she sat face to face with her soul! After an 


32 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


hour’s unsatisfactory communing, she knelt, the first 
time in months and tried to pray : but it was so hollow 
— the petitions seemed to fall back upon her heart, — 
hard, cold and meaningless. Almost too agitated to 
notice the heat she crept into bed and finally slept. 

The weeks went by and the work went on but Edah 
was not again harassed over spiritual matters — noth- 
ing came up to disturb the deep waters of her soul, 
which were left untroubled. 

“ Do you know,” said Edah to Miss Hatfield, the 
one nurse to whom she seemed especially drawn — as 
they left the dining-room together, “ I sometimes have 
strange doubts about some things connected with 
our training, but which are so vague I can scarcely 
formulate them, and if I could it would not be wise 
or practicable to give them much publicity here,” and 
she hesitated. 

“ Go on,” said her companion, “ get it out of your 
system.” 

Edah smiled a serious little smile. “ You know of 
course we are learners here and implicit obedience 
to orders is demanded, and yet — yet — I can see 
wherein it might work a terrible wrong. When we 
go out from here we will be called upon, at least some 
of us will, to nurse under the directions of all kinds 
of physicians and surgeons — and you know there are 
plenty of fool doctors in the world ! What if our 
training had given us a better grasp of certain cases 
than the physician in charge, what then? ” 

Miss Hatfield laughed uproariously. “ Well, you 
are a queer one,” wiping her eyes — “ Few cases you’ll 
ever get if you let any doctor get the idea you think 
you know more than he does ! ” 

Edah went on. “ Did you hear of Miss Martin’s 
telling Dr. Harper ” — mentioning one of the internes — 
“ That if he wanted to give that awfully sick typhoid 
patient in her ward any more pills he would have 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


33 


to give them himself? It seems he prescribed a 
cathartic a few days before which had brought on 
dreadful hemorrhages and when he was about to 
repeat the order she simply gave him to understand 
he could give them himself, she wouldn't." 

“ I shouldn't like to be in her shoes," remarked 
Miss Hatfield with a shrug as they went their several 
ways. 

Edah could not help musing about her companion's 
light way of looking at the matter. “ I dare say all 
the nurses here reason like that ; to get the business 
and what there is in it, was as far as they needed to 
go in thought or deed. Doubtless convictions were 
inconvenient things." 

Just at this point Edah was summoned to Dr. 
Wright's office. She went with somewhat heightened 
color, for as she and Miss Hatfield were speaking, 
she had caught a glimpse of the same fine-looking 
man she had so often seen talking with the house 
surgeon, just before the door of the consulting room 
closed after him. 

In answer to her light rap Dr. Wright opened the 
door in his most polite manner. He was always 
courteous and kind — to Edah as to all — but by intui- 
tion she knew that when those courtesies were ex- 
tended to herself he wished her to understand them 
as having a deeper and more tender meaning; at all 
events she knew she stood high in the head doctor’s 
esteem. 

“ Mrs. Brown let me make you acquainted with 
my friend Mr. Maxwell." 

Edah bowed slightly — her brief glance had dis- 
cerned a pair of rather small, deep blue scintillating 
eyes, “ that could be merry and pleasant or stern and 
sharp," she thought later. 

“ Mr. Maxwell is here in the interest of his sister 


34 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


whose child is ill and in need of the services of a 
nurse, how soon can you be ready to go?” 

Edah’s expressive eyes looked the gratitude she felt. 
She knew it was a delicate compliment in him to select 
her for that commission. All the nurses were glad to 
be sent out on “ cases.” 

“ In a very short time, Dr. Wright,” as she turned 
to leave the room. 

The strange gentleman spoke abruptly, glancing at 
his watch — “ I’ll wait here with the machine.” 

As Edah passed out the door she heard him explain 
• — probably for her benefit — “ My sister is very 
anxious.” 

Her heart kept time to the busy motions of hand 
and body as she rapidly made her preparations. “ To 
think I am to have an outside case ! ” All her unusual 
excitement she attributed to that fact — would not 
acknowledge to her own proud heart that the hand- 
some, secretly-admired man, so full of energy and 
decision had anything to do in the matter. 

Her long, brown, nurse’s wrap and bonnet of same 
shade were bewitchingly becoming — with those glow- 
ing cheeks which she had vainly tried to tone down by 
metaphorically “ sitting hard ” upon herself. 

The door of the office stood ajar when Edah reap- 
peared, suit-case in hand. 

Both gentlemen were standing, and Mr. Maxwell 
seemed impatient over the wait ; however, she saw him 
give the faintest start of surprise as he said, “ I’ll have 
my chauffeur carry out your bag.” 

Dr. Wright gave Edah a few words of advice and 
encouragement, meanwhile giving her a lingering 
handshake of farewell. “ All too lingering,” thought 
Edah, but she was too grateful to even appear to 
notice. 

Mr. Maxwell handed Edah into his machine and 
seated himself by her side, snapping the door to as he 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


35 


gave a short order to the chauffeur. The great tour- 
ing car responded to the clutch and away they sped 
past the interminable buildings through the crisp 
October air, which gave Edah a good excuse for her 
brilliant coloring. 

That ride was truly intoxicating! It had been so 
long since she had even been in a car — never in a more 
luxurious one — and her near proximity to this hand- 
some stranger — yet not a stranger — thrilled her very 
being. Yet, accustomed to the ways of the world, she 
sat apparently as indifferent to her companion as if he 
had not existed, and not for worlds would she have 
broken the silence between them, although deeply 
anxious to know something of the patient — a child, 
she knew — toward whom she was hastening. 

If he had been waiting for her to speak he concluded 
to do so no longer. 

“ For several nights my small niece has had 
symptoms of croup which would wear off during the 
day, only to reappear again with the night. My sister 
called in her physical! at once, but he did not think it 
anything serious or alarming until early this morning 
when the symptoms became more aggravated : he has 
grave fears of bronchial pneumonia.” 

Edah in a low tone asked her age. 

“ She is something past three, I believe.” 

“ And her name,” she barely whispered — inwardly 
fearing to hear him say “ Anne.” 

“ Marjory — Marjory Bramhall,” — adding in a husky 
voice as he gave her a searching glance, “ I hope you 
have had experience with the disease. Great God! 
it would nearly kill my sister to lose little Marjory, 
too,” reflecting aloud. 

Edah bowed an assent and tried to look the assur- 
ance she did not feel. 

The automobile stopped in front of a handsome home 
on the Lake Shore drive, and as they walked up to the 


36 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


door Edah glanced at the windows thinking how much 
of misery they shut in that bright October day, and 
her sympathetic heart ached for the poor mother whose 
child's life might even then be hanging in the balance. 

She was taken in charge by a maid and shown to her 
room on the third floor. As she laid aside wrap and 
bonnet she gave a cursory glance about the commo- 
dious room with its tasteful appointments ; but her 
mind was filled with what lay before her. For the 
first time she fully realized what it was to feel there 
were those depending, relying upon her in this most 
critical time. “ No organized, hospital system was 
there to help bear the burden of responsibility. Next 
to the doctor she felt that the issues of life and death 
rested in her hands." The awfulness of the thought 
forced an appealinng cry heavenward for help and 
guidance and it did not return unto her void. 

Calmed and strengthened she descended the stairs — 
pure, sweet, simple and girlish in her fresh nurse's 
costume of white with the absurd little undergraduate 
cap resting like a white-winged butterfly atop her 
gold-brown coil, and carrying her chart and silver- 
cased thermometer in her hand. 

James Maxwell who was waiting to conduct her 
to the sick-room took in all these details at a glance 
and had she been looking for it she might have read 
approval written in his fastidious eyes. He intro- 
duced her to his sister, a small, young-looking woman 
with light, curly, fluffy hair, who had evidently been 
weeping. 

She reached out a hand to Edah and said in a burst 
of tears, “ Save my baby ! " 

The young woman, strong from her recent com- 
munion with heaven, gave it a firm, reassuring pres- 
sure and walked to the bedside, while the little mother 
cried heart-brokenly on her brother's shoulder. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 37 

Edah could hear his unsteady voice, but not the 
words, as he tried to comfort her. 

The small sufferer, waxen white, with half-closed 
eyes lay propped up breathing with the greatest diffi- 
culty. The nurse took one of the little, hot, unresist- 
ing hands within her own and felt of the rapidly- 
beating pulse. Action was needed and at once ; she 
turned to receive what instructions had been left by 
the doctor, who at that very moment entered and 
gave them in person. 

It was a bitter fight — short, sharp and decisive but 
the black pirate lugger, manned by the death angel 
and his crew, flapped its dark and forbidding sail and 
glided away to other waters without this one particu- 
lar little passenger. 

Edah lived over once again her own heart-breaking 
sorrow. Sleep seemed to have forsaken her eyelids. 
A suppressed but restless energy had taken posses- 
sion of her that was kept hidden under an outward 
semblance of calm. Only the deep smoldering look 
in her eyes betrayed its presence. 

When, at the beginning of the second day’s conflict, 
the doctor suggested an assisting nurse Edah begged 
so hard to go on with the case alone, she was finally 
allowed her own way. 

“ I will take little snatches of sleep when I can,” 
she urged. She did not tell them she was doing it in 
order that the mother might help some and not suffer 
the agony of reproach that had been her portion these 
past bitter months. 

After three days and nights of unceasing warfare, 
she knew the battle was won, and not till then did she 
stop to rest. 

When assured the crisis was past, Mrs. Bramhall, 
with tears of joy in her eyes, grasped Edah’s two 
hands in her own. “ Never, never can I forget what 
you have been to us in this dark hour ! ” Gazing in 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


33 

the direction of the now peacefully sleeping child, 
she added, “ James and I will watch while you go to 
bed and take a long sleep — all day, yes — and all night 
too ! We will waken you if anything should arise/’ 
She felt strangely drawn to the tall, calm young 
woman, who seemed to have some great reserve- 
force in her character, and who was so good looking 
and winsome withal. 

The attending physician was loud in his praises of 
Mrs. Brown’s all-round qualifications and made a 
mental note to keep that nurse in mind for future 
cases. 

Mrs. Bramhall was sitting one afternoon near the 
end of Edah’s second week with the nurse and now 
convalescent child: she had been urging Mrs. Brown 
to remain a while longer — “ baby still needs careful 
watching you know.” 

Edah laughed — “ she will be running about all over 
the house in two or three days : but I should like very 
much to stay if you wish it. Marjory and I are great 
friends, aren’t we?” as that individual reached out 
a tiny hand for the paper elephant fresh from the 
hands and scissors of its maker. 

“ How clever you are with children — you ought to 
have a dozen ! ” 

She was more than sorry for her thoughtless words 
as she noted a look of pain come into Edah’s face. 

After a short silence between them she said, “ Mr. 
Bramhall wishes me to go with him to the theater to- 
night, what do you think of it ? ” That gentleman 
had been out of town and did not return till the baby 
was out of danger. 

“ A splendid plan! go by all means — Marjory is 
sleeping all right — she’ll never know you are gone.” 

“ I’m almost inclined to be jealous of you, don’t 
you know — that child seems to have formed such an 
ardent attachment,” and both ladies laughed. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


39 


These two young women sat and chatted together 
without restraint — on terms almost of intimacy. The 
mother overflowing with gratitude and the other al- 
lowing herself to be natural — free for the time from 
that proud reserve which had hedged her about so 
long. 

Marjory was sitting on the bed playing with some 
toys and looking lovely, though still pale, in her light- 
blue kimono — her fair hair in clustering ringlets about 
her head. Edah was sitting by the bed helping unite 
the paper dolls with their more or less complicated 
clothing and thinking how very much the child re- 
sembled her uncle. 

As if Mrs. Bramhall had read her thoughts she 
said, “ Everyone thinks Marjory looks so much like 
my brother, but really I can't see it; or if there is a 
resemblance it is not nearly so strong as in the case 
of little Jamie — his namesake — who died a year ago 
at the age of five. Really, the likeness was most un- 
usual — and he loved that child as few men love their 
own ! " and she fell into a sad reverie while Edah’s 
thoughts were busy with the past — “ and I have no 
Marjory to help me forget." 

A step in the hall followed by a light tap on the 
door — sounds that Edah so well knew — and found 
herself listening for, — made that lady with color 
heightening, hastily rise, as the door opened admit- 
ting Mr. Maxwell, and say to Mrs. Bramhall, “ if 
you will remain with Marjory, I’ll go for her supper." 

The gentleman turned toward the bed — “ What a 
comfortable little party we’re having; cats, dolls, dogs 
and babies," with a glance at the menagerie surround- 
ing them. “ I came to join it, not to break it up! " 
looking in a half-amused way at Edah. 

He had grown quite well acquainted with the baby’s 
nurse, for he was a privileged character to come and 
go in the sick-room, after the crisis had been passed. 


40 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


In fact before : he sometimes helped Edah with the 
vapor inhalations and on occasion with the oxygen — 
things his sister might have done but could not. 

Yes, Edah’s task would have been a harder one, 
but for his intelligent help. 

His sister said quietly, noticing Edah’s heightened 
color, “ it is time for baby’s supper, and thinking to 
herself, “ how could Edah or any other sane woman 
be insensible to the personality of that thoroughly 
charming and altogether irresistible brother of hers? ” 

In her journey to the kitchen Edah communed 
with herself, — “ Oh, I must get back to the hospital ; — • 
I must not stay the week longer, which Mrs. Bram- 
hall insists upon ! ” 

“ But what reason can I give for not staying? ” and 
the chicken broth came near being sugared instead of 
getting the wee bit of salt intended. 

She wanted to get back to the sick-room, but did 
everything to prolong her absence. Not daring to 
wait longer she returned with the tray ; and the brother 
and sister presently departed to dress for dinner. 

James Maxwell was a strange mixture in his com- 
ponent parts; warm-hearted and affectionate beyond 
degree to those whom he loved, yet he could be as 
cold-blooded and merciless as any man with whom 
he came in contact, where his own interests were to 
be conserved. 

At dinner that evening James Maxwell, editor, 
writer, and politician — was in his most entertaining 
mood — and his sister just adored him at such times. 
The little wine he had drunk seemed to have gotten 
into his blood with intoxicating effect. Anecdotes, 
clever stories, humorous incidents of his life politi- 
cal, succeeded one another in brilliant succession. 
When he made the effort he could charm his little 
audience as few men could, but this eveninng there 
was — plainly, to himself at least — no effort. He was 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


4i 

buoyantly carried along on the crest of some wave he 
did not stop to fathom. 

As they were leaving the dining-room Mrs. Bram- 
hall lovingly placed a hand through the arm of both 
husband and brother, looking like a girl in her even- 
ing costume with the dark troubled shadows of the re- 
cent past wiped out of her face. 

“ Now, Aimee, dear,” — her brother was saying, 
u have a pleasant evening, and do not worry about 
Marjory. I shall not be going out till late and I'll 
look in before I go to see that everything is all right ; ” 
adding, “ or if you would rather, I’ll remain at home — - 
I can make the telephone do all that’s absolutely nec- 
essary to-night.” 

“ Oh, no ! you dear, good brother, I would not think 
of having you do anything of the kind. I’m really 
not in the least uneasy, I have such perfect confi- 
dence in Mrs. Brown!” 

They separated at the intersecting corridors and 
Mrs. Bramhall and her husband went in the direction 
of the invalid’s room while the brother went the op- 
posite way leading to his part of the house. 

An “ L ” wing had been added on the north soon 
after the house had come into the possession of its 
present owners, for his exclusive use. 

On the first floor was his office opening on the side 
street, while back of it was a small smoking and 
lounging den, which opened into his private hall, 
containing a door to the lower floor of his sister’s part 
of the house, also one opening toward the street. His 
library, sleeping-room, dressing-room and bath occu- 
pied the second floor, which also connected with the 
corresponding floor of his sister’s, while the third was 
fitted up into a large billiard and pool-room. 

He entered his library and stood some minutes 
deeply engrossed in thought, his eyes fixed upon the 
floor. Then with hands in his pockets he began a 


f 


42 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


rapid, nervous walk back and forth the length of the 
room. The expression of his face semed to denote 
hesitancy, uncertainty, as with bowed head he con- 
tinued to walk. 

At last the struggle was over — if one there had 
been — and with decisive look and action he went into 
the office, took up the telephone and was the self-con- 
tained man of the world again. After dispatching 
his business he glanced at his watch — “ eight-thirty.” 

He re-entered his sister’s part of the house and 
walked directly toward the sick-room. A light tap 
announced his entry. 

Edah was sitting in the cosy, charming little boudoir 
connecting with Mrs. Bramhall’s room which had been 
used for the sick-chamber. 

She had been strangely restless all the evening — 
hoping and fearing alternately that he would come. 
“ Oh, the bliss of a long evening with him — all to 
herself ! ” 

She was young and lonesome and her heart was un- 
attached; she argued with that member, “ Only just 
once! I’m going back so soon — and — I’ll probably 
not see him again, ever!” and then that organ would 
promptly stop beating for a while. 

When the door opened upon him in full evening 
dress she was positively electrified ! Some strange 
spell seemed upon her. 

He came in with his easy, self-possessed manner and 
seeing with half a glance her agitation, walked into 
the other room and stood looking down at the sleeper, 
giving Edah a chance to “ pull herself together,” as 
he mentally put it. 

With considerable effort that lady accomplished it, 
and when he returned she was her usual self, save 
for two red spots which burned high on either cheek 
and an unusual brightness of eyes. 

James Maxwell had a book of poems in his hand — 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


43 


he knew her fondness for poetry — and as he seated 
himself by the low table asked, “ Are you too tired 
for a little Tennyson to-night?’' 

“ I should like it above all things,” she said with 
a glad smile. He read in his low, deep, vibrant tones, 
that thrilled Edah through and through; occasionally 
closing the volume with his forefinger marking the 
place while he made discursive remarks upon the 
context or wandered off into other channels. 

He made himself as agreeable and entertaining as 
possible — and he had considerable knowledge along 
that line — his experience had been large and varied. 
He was seven years her senior and many times that 
number her superior in worldly wisdom. 

Presently his tone took on a more personal note, 
and before Edah knew how it came about she was 
telling him the story of her life. He was genuinely 
interested ; — moreover he loved to look into those 
expressive eyes and watch the droop to that ravishing 
mouth when once again the details of those sorrow- 
ful times were lived through. 

Even that pitiful recital never for a moment 
swerved him from his purpose. 

When his Machiavelian judgment told him the time 
was ready, he arose from his chair and proposed a 
walk. “ You have been shut up in the house all 
day — the moonlight is glorious,” and coming close to 
her side “ you need the air ! ” 

Edah instinctively looked in the direction of her 
charge. 

“ She is all right — besides we shan’t be gone long,” 
he murmured with his face very close to hers. 

At intervals during the evening she had tried to 
throw off the spell of — she knew not what — of some- 
thing that was possessing her — drawing her towards 
this man against all her reason and judgment ; — but 
each time it would return stronger than before. 


f 


44 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Their lips met in a lingering kiss and she was 
clasped in a close embrace. 

Her scruples were over! Right and wrong, God’s 
laws and man’s were in a complete jumble in Edah’s 
mind and all were absolutely worthless. 

“ Is your wrap downstairs,” he whispered? casting 
his eye about the room. 

“ No,” in a low tone, “ I’ll fetch it.” 

As she started to leave the room, “ I’ll meet you 
in my library. Do you know the way ? ” 

Edah bowed an assent. “ How often she had 
longed to penetrate beyond that door — to enter that 
sacred and forbidden realm, ‘ where he came and 
went and where everything spoke of him!' Now 
she was actually going inside the enchanted place ! ” 
She ran lightly up the stairs to her room and re- 
turned enveloped in her long nurse’s cloak. 

He was not waiting for her in the hall — but she 
was not expecting him to be. 

Softly, noiselessly, with winged feet she sped in 
the direction given. ' 

The door stood somewhat ajar and she entered; as 
she did so, someone standing within shut it and Edah 
heard the spring-lock click into place. Again she 
was clasped close to his breast and showered with 
burning kisses on brow, cheek and lips. 

^ vj/ \ j/ vl/ 

/N 

% 

The walk which had been contemplated with such 
eager expectancy was taken — but by Edah alone — 
when some time later, the door of the office was 
opened and, as she furtively glanced about her, she 
heard that door also shut and the spring-lock click, 
only in this case everything — everything in life that 
was worth while — was locked behind her. 

The sky was full of clouds overcasting the moon — 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


45 


Luna must have known — and was glad to hide her face 
away shutting out the pitiful, pitiful sight of the 
shameful unfairness. On the woman’s more delicate 
shoulders has forever rested the unequal burden. 

But this particular woman was not thinking of 
that. In her thoughts there were no comparisons — 
she had no room for them. She was polluted in her 
own eyes ! — She was self-condemned ! 

She sped on and on in an endeavor to get away 
from herself. 

Finally crossing over to the Lake she stood gazing 
down horror-eyed into its cold depths. “ ’Twould not 
be hard to throw her miserable self into those dark 
waters,” that had closed over many another whose 
burden had been greater than she could bear. But 
her religious nature held her back, — therein lay no 
escape for her. 

She sat down with her face in her hands, mutely, 
dumbly suffering — the power of thinking seemed to 
have left her. 

How long she sat she did not know ; a chill shook 
her body and she rose to go — “ where? ” she scarcely 
knew. 

It was very dark, only the bright lights along the 
street were shining and she felt a drop of rain. 

She hurriedly passed back over the way she had 
come, frightened at the dark — at herself — at every- 
thing. 

She came within sight of the house, which was still 
brightly lighted, only the “ L ” was dark — and the 
awful nightmare gripped her once more. 

She passed and re-passed the front door several 
times before she could get courage to enter. 

A merciful numbness seemed to take hold of her 
brain and she went up the steps somehow and rang 
the bell. The butler, still on duty, let her in. He 
had a knowing, supercilious look on his face, which 


46 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Edah did not notice, but which soon gave way to 
one of pity as he looked at her poor, white, pinched 
face. 

Still without feeling — in a dumb sort of way — she 
mounted the stairs to the sick-room. The door was 
partly ajar, and before she was herself seen, she 
had noted that Mrs. Bramhall was sitting — still in 
evening dress, her opera cloak lying in a heap on the 
floor, evidently where it had hastily been thrown — 
with the little invalid in her arms. 

As she entered Mrs. Bramhall gave her a withering 
look and rising, carefully laid the sleeping child in the 
bed. She motioned Mr. Bramhall from the room and 
nodding to Edah to follow, led the way into the little 
boudoir. 

The sight of the familiar room brought back a sick- 
ening recollection of the events of the eariler part of 
the evening which seemed to Edah ages ago. 

After closing the door she turned to Edah, who 
stood silent before her as if petrified — waiting for 
the condemnation that was coming. 

In cutting tones Mrs. Bramhall said, “ Is this your 
idea of duty? Is this the way you keep a trust? May 
I inquire where you have been till this time of 
night?” Edah glanced at the little French clock 
which said half-past one. 

Receiving no answer she continued, “ When I re- 
turned my darling baby was standing screaming, in 
the middle of the floor; if she should have a relapse 
and die, you will have been her murderer!” adding 
scornfully, “ but what would you care ! anyone who 
will do what you have done this night will not care 
for anything ! Go ! ” 

Mrs. Bramhall stood like an outraged fury; — the 
atrocity of the deed had been beyond her compre- 
hension : — at that moment she looked upon Edah in 
the light of a murderess. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


47 


Edah slowly walked out of her presence , — “ or did 
she walk?” she thought later — “however did she 
reach her room ? ” 

But there she was pacing back and forth with hands 
clasped across her brow. Her dereliction to duty, 
which before had been crowded out of her thoughts, 
now stung and lashed her almost to madness. “ How 
could I have done it ! ” “ Where was my religion — • 

where my integrity of character?” — “Had she ever 
had any?” — “Was the past all a lie, or was this a 
hideous dream ? ” 

Exhausted she threw herself across the bed and 
lay with wide, burning eyes. 

The hours passed. 

At last the dark rainy night showed signs of re- 
turning day and with it she was roused to a need for 
action. 

Her things were hurriedly put in her suit-case, and 
with veil closely drawn over the pale face, she went 
down the stairs in the early dawn. 

The halls were deserted and quiet; — only she, the 
sinner, was sleepless and abroad at that hour. As 
she passed his door a fleeting thought went through 
her mind “ could he sleep? ” 

Her face and neck burned for an instant — then 
faded again to paleness. 

She listened a moment for sounds from the sick- 
room — but all was quiet. She hoped “ it was well 
with the child ” and felt glad for a moment, but that 
too passed like an evanescent moonbeam obscured by 
a cloud. 

She reached the door and passed out into the cold, 
wet, early morning — a young woman with a blighted 
life! 

Weak, weary and really ill, she walked to the near- 
est car-line — carrying her heavy suit-case — vaguely 
feeling what she would have to encounter when reach- 


4 8 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


in g the hospital, and she put a hand over her eyes 
as if to shut out the mocking, supercilious and gloat- 
ing looks that would meet her on every side. 

In her remorseful and heartbreaking reflections 
she had not once thought of acting as if she were not 
guilty — of putting on a bold and brazen exterior and 
letting the burden of proof come from the world; — 
for after all “ what did the world really know ? ” 
No ! she knew she was guilty, and her own innocence 
and self-respect were what she most prized, in the 
last analysis : “ but the other, too, would be, oh, so 
hard to bear ! ” 

She entered the large front door and glanced 
hastily around — the house physician’s office was 
closed — only the night porter was seen on that floor. 

Ascending the stairs she saw one or two nurses 
passing in and out bent on their work — probably 
glad that their night’s vigil was over. 

“ How she envied them ! ” 

With an involuntary groan she mounted the last 
stairs, opened the door to her little room, set down 
the heavy suit-case and removing bonnet and veil 
threw herself upon the bed. 

Nature mercifully sets a limit to human endurance. 

Unable to think she lay staring at the white walk 
in a blank way, and before long she was sleeping. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


49 


CHAPTER IV. 

The morning following that never to be forgotten 
night — at least by Edah — James Maxwell entered the 
breakfast-room in his brisk, energetic way — fresh 
from a cold tub, correctly attired in his well-fitting 
business-suit, and clean shaven, with the exception of 
upper lip on which flourished a luxuriant blonde 
moustache, the pride of its owner's heart. 

“ Hello, Cis ! This is quite unexpected and equally 
delightful. You must have overslept, yourself! It 
did you good to have an evening out again. Where's 
Addison?" glancing at the unoccupied place at the 
table, as he shook out his napkin. 

He was on the alert for signs and indications, and 
his sister’s barometric countenance, always easy to 
read, reflected considerable internal pressure. 

“ Addison’s eaten and gone long ago, and I don’t 
see how I can look well after all I went through last 
night.’’ And she was rather more than half inclined 
to be vexed at her brother’s lack of perspicacity. 

“ Well, Cis, out with it, — it’ll do you good ! ’’ re- 
garding her with an amused smile. To do that gen- 
tleman justice, he really was not quite feeling the part. 

“ It’s no laughing matter, I can assure you — I have 
been up all night ! ’’ 

And then she told him how, upon their return from 
the theater, they had found the child standing in the 
middle of the floor, in her night clothes — “ cold as 


50 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


she could be and crying as if frightened almost to 
death ! ” 

With genuine surprise, and a nonchalance that re- 
flected credit in its way — “ Where was Mrs. Brown? ” 

“ That’s what I would like to know — and what I 
asked her when she walked into the room where I sat 
with Marjory in my lap, — asleep by this time — look- 
ing like a lost spirit ! ” 

Those last words entered his innermost conscious- 
ness and echoed and re-echoed through the recesses 
of his being for many a long day. 

“If I had not been so terribly angry, I think I 
could have found it in my heart to be sorry for her. 
But think what if that dear child should have suf- 
fered a relapse ! ” And Mrs. Bramhali was so filled 
with the contemplation of such a direful happening 
that she lapsed into silence and continued her break- 
fast. 

“ I fear I’m somewhat to blame, for I promised to 
have an eye on things. I did go in as I told you I 
would, found everything all right, chatted a few 
minutes with Mrs. Brown and went back to the office, 
worked until about eleven, then retired. What ex- 
planations did the nurse make?” 

“ She never opened her lips. She just stood there 
like one transfixed looking down on Marjory. I put 
the baby on the bed, motioned her into the other 
room and gave her another chance to speak, but as 
she said nothing I dismissed her. 

“ When Maggie came down this morning, I told 
her to go to Mrs. Brown’s room and waken her; she 
came back looking rather queer and said she was not 
there.” 

“ Now, James, dear,” as that gentleman arose from 
the table, “ I want you to do me a little favor. Will 
you kindly telephone Dr. Wright to send me another 
nurse right away?” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


5i 


“ I would, Cis," pulling out his watch, “ but Fm 
going out of town this morning and am late. Mar- 
jory's all right now?" 

“ Yes, she doesn't seem any the worse but it is al- 
most a mir " 

“ I should think with Maggie's help you would not 
need another nurse " — moving toward the door — 
“ besides Mrs. Brown may return." 

“ Oh, no ! Maggie says she took all her things." 

“ Well, Aimee, I'm sorry I can't help you out, but 
don’t worry — things are going to be all right ! " and 
kissing his sister’s forehead he hurried off. 

That day James Maxwell did not give himself a 
moment's time to think of aught else other than busi- 
ness, nor the next day either, nor the one following. 
He worked with an intensity early and late, and slept 
from exhaustion the few hours he allowed himself. 
He would give no chance for a pair of haunting brown 
eyes to reproach him. 

How long Edah had slept she did not know, but 
she was roused by someone opening her door. She 
bounded up into a sitting posture with such sudden- 
ness that she involuntarily clasped her head in her 
hands, “ to keep it from bursting," she thought. 

“ Goodness ! you look like a ghost ! Did I frighten 
you like that? I thought you must be dead not to 
hear my knocking — in fact you do look as if you'd 
just been dug up! Whatever's the matter?" and 
Miss Hatfield went on in her voluble way ; “ Miss 
Martin said she saw you come in early, but I've been 
so beastly busy I've not had a minute's time to make 
any inquiries until just now I asked Miss Ramsay 
what you were doing; when she said you had not re- 
ported for duty, I rushed off up here. 

“ I'm dying to hear all about it, but suppose I'll 


52 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


have to wait until you look less like a corpse. Is 
there anything you’d like?” 

Edah had lain her head back on the pillow. “ Yes, 
I think if you would bring me some tea and crackers 
I would feel better,” and with an effort gave her 
friend a little wan, flickering smile. 

“ All right ; and I would suggest you get into bed in 
the proper way, and be sick like ‘ folks ’ — shall I help 
you?” 

“ You are ever so kind, but I don’t need any help. 
I’ll be all ready when you return.” 

Miss Hatfield hastened away on her errand. She 
was the one nurse who had been able to penetrate 
the barrier of reserve surrounding Edah. She was 
kind, warm-hearted and affectionate — a natural born 
nurse — but one who found the lecture part of her 
training very difficult. As she once said to Edah, 
who lent her all the assistance possible — “ I wasn’t 
born long on notes.” 

However, she was possessed of a deep sense of 
gratitude and was always on the lookout to repay 
Edah’s oft-repeated kindness. 

The hot tea did help some — and she lay trying 
hard not to think — “ that head must get better so she 
could plan — for immediate action was necessary.” 

“ I can never, never meet him again ! ” she moaned 
to herself ; and once more the hot waves surged over 
brow, cheek and neck.” 

She put a wet cloth on her aching head and wished 
she had some chloral hydrate, — in lieu of which she 
put some cracked ice Miss Hatfield had brought into 
a handkerchief and placed over her burning eyes and 
fell to saying the multiplication table over and over 
again, — then once more oblivion. 

She wakened at the usual time next morning — great 
is youth and health — put on her hospital uniform and 
descended to breakfast, looking very pale and feeling 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 53 

miserably weak. It was a terrible ordeal, but she 
steeled herself to appear natural. 

For some strange and inexplicable reason, — which 
Edah’s fine sensibilities, super-keen now, detected at 
once in the atmosphere — the barrier of reserve which 
unconsciously existed between herself and the others 
had melted away. That wall which she had hoped 
would protect her from the possible avalanche ! 

Now she knew it was coming, and she braced her- 
self to meet it. 

The laughing, talking, chaffing nurses were upon 
her. They felt their “ innings ” had come ! Not one 
among them, save Miss Hatfield, doubted but that 
she had been dismissed from the case. They plied 
her with innumerable questions. 

One wanted to know “ if the metropolitan Adonis 
had taken her out often in his machine? ” 

“ Good of him to bring you home at daylight,” said 
a second — which caused a general laugh and some 
knowing winks. 

Another, “ Did he make love in the most approved 
modern style?” 

A fourth, sotto voce, “ he must have been frozen 
stiff if he did.” 

Miss Martin spoke up, “ Mrs. Brown wouldn’t 
know if some one were making love to her! I don’t 
believe she would know a love-letter from a death- 
warrant ! ” At which, of course, there was a general 
outburst of hilarious laughter. 

The victim sat through the fusilade making an 
effort to eat. It was quite foreign to her serious na- 
ture to “ chaff ” back or give the quick retort. When 
she entered the room she had felt like prostrating her- 
self before them and confessing all ! But that feel- 
ing had given place to one of almost vindictive 
hatred by the time the terrible meal was ended. 

The little she had forced herself to eat was nau- 


54 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


seating her — and on either pale cheek burned a spot 
of crimson. With her proudest carriage and haught- 
iest reserve she left the dining-hall and sought the 
house physician's private office. 

Why she did so at that early hour she could not 
have told ; office hours, rules and regulations had gone 
quite out of her mind. She was only conscious of one 
thing — to get through the last little preliminary to her 
leaving that hateful place. But that gentleman was 
within — he was expecting this visit. 

In response to the physician’s “ come ” Edah 
opened the door and stepped inside, closing it after 
her. 

Dr. Wright was positively shocked at her appear- 
ance. “ Mrs. Brown you are ill,” offering her a chair. 
“ I insist upon your going to your room and to bed 
at once. I’ll fix you up something to take,” reaching 
for a prescription blank. 

“ Never mind about it now, Dr. Wright, I have 
come on a matter of business which must be attended 
to first,” sinking into the proffered chair. 

“ Business can wait ! One’s health comes before 
everything else! You are not fit to be up!” with 
considerable anxiety in his voice. 

“ That’s part of the business, Dr. Wright. I came 
to tell you I’m sick and am leaving to-day for home.” 

He was taken quite unawares, thrown off his 
guard ; — “ I have been expecting you to send for me. 
I knew you came home ill yesterday — Mrs. Bram- 
hall asked me to send a nurse in your place.” 

Walking up and down the room he paused in front 
of her to say — “ You should have let me know! 
Was that treating me right?” and there and then, 
with his honest, pale-blue eyes shining full of love he 
asked her to be his wife. “ If not for my sake,” he 
wound up, as no answering look met his, “ then for 
the sake of my little motherless girl.” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


55 


With quick instinct she wondered if he suspected 
anything and was thus giving her a chance to save 
herself ! 

“ Oh, the tender generosity of it ! ” She bowed 
her head and winked hard to keep back the tears. 
She was glad she had not lost the power of feeling — 
for she thought she had turned to stone. 

Presently she lifted her head and gave him a look 
of gratitude he remembered long — even if it was not 
one of love which his heart craved. 

“ Dr. Wright, I thank you more than words can 
tell, but I cannot give you my love, so for your sake 
as well as mine, it will be impossible for me to accept 
your offer.” 

She had risen as she was speaking, “ But please 
forgive me if I give you pain,” and she stretched out 
both her firm, white hands, which were warmly 
clasped in his. “ Believe me, ’tis an honor I’ll never 
forget. Good-bye,” she said unsteadily, turning to go. 

“ Mrs. Brown,” with a tightening clasp, “ surely you 
do not mean to leave until you feel better! Wait a 
few days, there certainly can be no need for such 
haste.” 

His pained solicitude made her waver a little, be- 
sides she was feeling almost too ill to be up — but the 
picture of another meal in the hospital rose in horror 
before her mind’s eye and she hesitated no longer. 

“ I really must go, I’m needed at home,” surprising 
herself at the ease with which she framed the lie. 

One sin prepares the way for another. 

He longed to take her in his arms and bear all her 
burdens of whatever nature, from that time on till 
the end of life. 

Something within his innermost consciousness told 
him James Maxwell was in some way connected with 
this sudden resolve. There was nothing left for him 


56 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


to do, however, but give a final pressure to those 
dear hands and open the door for her to pass out. 

Two or three weeks after this visit of Edah’s to 
Dr. Wright's office, James Maxwell, urged by a va- 
riety of emotions — chief among which was a strong 
desire to obtain if possible, a chance glimpse of Edah 
in passing through the halls, — made a visit to his old- 
time friend. 

There was no mistaking the chilling frost in the 
atmosphere of Dr. Wright's vicinity. 

After a brief call he departed without having 
either seen or heard anything of her whom he had 
come to seek. 


57 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER V. 

The early morning was pitch black, save for the 
light of the brilliant star gems in their setting of 
sable, when the long, through train came to an im- 
patient stop to let off a single passenger — ostensibly 
at the small station — but in reality away down the 
tracks beyond the reach of platform. No — there 
were two. The tall woman in black had a sleeping 
child in her arms. 

The porter carried out bags and bundles, leaving all 
huddled together in the dark and the sand, while he 
scrambled back to his car, hoping to get another nap 
before daylight, and the train glided away to the far 
distant city. 

“ Have a hack, ma’am ? ” 

The question was repeated by the several drivers 
of the waiting vehicles, as they proffered their as- 
sistance. 

The lady nodded to one, and soon bag, bundles, 
child and woman were being jogged along through 
the narrow streets of Biloxi — which the lady thought 
must be alleys — to the main hotel. 

The November air had a penetrating chill, and she 
anxiously covered the sleeping child more closely. 
In spite of precautions the hateful paroxysm of 
coughing set in and the driver, much alarmed, won- 
dered, “ would it ever get it’s breath.” 


58 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Shall I take you to the doctor’s, ma’am, there’s 
one not far away.” 

“ No,” in a low tone, “ drive faster — I must get 
him in out of this chilly night air ! ” 

The ever ready whip was applied and in a few mo- 
ments they were at the hotel. 

The coughing had ceased, and soon mother and 
child were sitting before a brightly blazing open fire. 

While waiting for the room to warm, she sat with 
him in her lap. “ Well, Robert, you and mothey are 
in Biloxi at last!” removing his outside wraps and 
knitted cap as she spoke. 

The child looked about at the unaccustomed sur- 
roundings and was tremendously taken with the danc- 
ing firelight spread out before him which was some- 
thing quite new and strange and altogether fasci- 
nating. 

“ It is going to be so nice ” — running her fingers 
through his curly hair, a procedure usually produc- 
tive of drowsiness — “ and you’re going to get well 
and strong and we’ll have fine times playing together, 
you and mothey, in the sand and in the woods ! ” 

Smiling down into his face, “ perhaps we’ll see 
some ‘ squirrelies ’ like those in your little book and 
we may find a little dog, all for your very own ! ” 

Seeing the winks getting long — “ now Robert dear, 
you sit in the chair while mothey gets you a nice, 
warm drink of milk, and keep those little eyes open 
just a few minutes.” 

She set her spirit lamp going, unfastened the huge 
roll done up in the straps, spread the large, warm, 
double blanket-shawl on the bed, took the milk from 
the thermos bottle and put it on to heat. 

She was deft and quick and soon had the sleepy 
child back on her lap, drinking the good warm milk. 
With his curly head against her heart, she watched 
the tired eyelids close and the breathing come and 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


59 


go in long, regular cadences. With pain, she noted 
the pale, thin face and the blue shadows lurking 
where the glow of health was wont to be. 

Laying him within the folds of the shawl, she gath- 
ered the scattered things in order, and prepared to 
sleep some herself — knowing it to be the only way 
to keep in condition for that vital work — the work of 
saving the life of her dear child who was all the 
world to her, not in a relative sense, but absolutely. 

She put on her warm, loose double-gown and sat a 
few minutes before the open fire, which she had re- 
plenished with a knot of that wonderful wood, which 
she afterward heard the darkies call “ light-wood ” 
and which blazed immediately in such a cheerful way. 

No need for a smiling face now for Robert’s dear 
sake — and her features fell into a sad repose. 

The light from the fire as it fell upon her showed 
plainly that the soul anguish of those four years had 
left its mark. The eyes wore a hard and defiant look, 
where only light-hearted kindliness and innocence 
shone in other days. 

After Robert’s advent it had not been quite so 
bad — there was something in life to live for. Yet at 
times the thought of the wrong done him was an 
added grief — still she did not always think of that, 
but gave herself up to her love for him with the full 
intensity of her mother nature, and she nursed his ill- 
ness and watched his fading strength with the dagger 
of despair rending her heart. 

Presently she arose and standing a moment by the 
bedside of the sleeping child, crossed the room to the 
other bed — and as the shadows of night were being 
scattered by the dawn she, too, slept. 

vj> Mjp Mg 

^ ^ ^ 

After leaving the hospital four years ago in such 


6o 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


grief and agony of self-reproach, Edah went to a 
down-town hotel. While much preferring to leave 
at once — all had been done so hurriedly, so unex- 
pectedly — it was necessary to await the arrival of 
funds from Denver; besides she was absolutely ill in 
body as well as soul. She came and went with anx- 
iety and trepidation for fear she should meet him in 
corridor, office or dining-room. 

She wished to die but was afraid — like that night 
at the Lake. “ How could she meet her Maker ?” 
“ Perhaps her religion had failed her at the crucial 
time because she had been so rebellious when her 
baby died! ” “ and her doubts too ! ” 

There was no comfort for her wherever she 
turned — only and always the fear to die. 

Closely veiled, and wearing her nurse’s costume, 
she boarded a New York Central train one fine, 
bright afternoon the latter part of October, a week 
after leaving the hospital, and was whirled away for- 
ever from the scene of her life’s tragedy; — still fear- 
ful she might see him, till Chicago had been left 
many miles behind. 

She bought a magazine, but left it lying unopened 
in her lap, while she looked idly out of the window. 
The wonderful hand-painting of the God of Autumn 
on Nature’s canvas failed to elicit admiration or ap- 
preciation, — her unseeing eyes were turned inward. 
Over and over again with burning face she reviewed 
the situation winding up, as always, “ how could I 
have done it ! ” 

Vain reasoning; the sin and the shame were there 
to be her portion forever and she so young, not yet 
twenty-three ! 

She opened the book in her lap, desultorily turning 
its leaves — presently something caught and fixed her 
aimless eye — “ we can suffer, may even die, but we 
must do right.” It gripped her attention — she read 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


61 


it a second time and a third. One moment it utterly 
condemned and the next offered a flickering ray of 
hope. 

Her eyes wandered again to the landscape — “ had 
she sinned away her day of grace ? ” and there floated 
into her mind the lines of an old hymn 

“ While the lamp of life holds out to burn 
The vilest sinner may return/’ 

“ I’m the blackest of sinners but — I’m not yet dead: ” 
“ and I can suffer — on and on — till death releases 
me ; perhaps ” — the drooping mouth quivered, “ per- 
haps I may yet do right,” and two tears rolled down 
her cheeks in the gathering twilight. 

She slept better that night than since those hours 
of oblivion from exhaustion upon her return to the 
hospital. 

Through the coming days of darkness approaching 
despair, those words of the magazine article returned 
again and again to mock or give brief glimpses of 
hope. 

After entering the large station in the great me- 
tropolis she made a few inquiries regarding the dif- 
ferent suburbs, chiding herself at the same time, 
“ one place is as good as another in which to lose one’s 
self : the great city perhaps being the best.” 

But the desire to get away — out where she could 
breathe — was too strong to be resisted so she re- 
checked her baggage and took the first train for 
Yonkers. 

Immediately upon getting settled she began making 
inquiries for work — she feared for the stability of her 
reason did she not get busy. 

She was perfectly aware she would be looked upon 
in the light of an anomaly : “ a young and good-look- 


62 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


in g nurse out of work and living in a manner be- 
tokening competence ! ” 

Before she had time to even think of applying to 
the doctors, which would have necessitated the an- 
swering of uncomfortable questions, probably with 
lies, a case occurred right in the boarding-house. 

An elderly lady, a semi-invalid was taken suddenly 
quite ill during the night. Edah was called and took 
hold with such efficiency she was retained during the 
severe attack of la grippe which followed. 

Her patient was difficult — fussy — and hard to man- 
age but it was just what she needed; something re- 
quiring all her waking thoughts. 

It was at this time Edah found to be a fact what 
before she had only feared ! “ Her sin was never to 

be lived down ! ” “ It would only be augmented with 
time ! ” “ It meant still more suffering ! ” 

And hideous demons tormented her with a great 
temptation, — “ you know the way out, do not hesi- 
tate,” — “ why bring a helpless, innocent being into the 
world only to suffer blight ? ” 

The turbulent waters seethed and roared but did 
not overwhelm. Out of the storm the words, “ We 
can suffer, may even die but we must do right ” re- 
echoed through her being and proved a haven of 
refuge in that tempestuous sea. 

Silent and pale but gentle and patient she worked 
over the invalid, conquering the wild desire to fly 
away— whither she did not know or care — till the 
influenza passed and the invalid had regained her 
indifferent health. 

Then Edah was most earnestly and persistently 
urged by both her patient and married daughter, to 
accompany the former to the south of France for 
the winter — returning in the spring. 

Edah really considered the matter, but when she re- 
flected upon the “ possibility of meeting friends — 







THE STORY OF EDAH. 


63 


perhaps him — either going or returning it was not to 
be thought of ; besides Europe was getting to be a 
very poor place in which to hide.” 

To the amazement of the ladies she declined what 
to them seemed a most flattering and attractive offer, 
one which few nurses would have turned down. 
“ But she was queer,” they thought, “ and very dis- 
tant and hard to become acquainted with.” 

Soon after, Edah left the boarding-house as sud- 
denly as she had come, and lived a while in a rather 
retired hotel in the city, making short excursions into 
the country, answering all sorts of advertisements 
for board, which were not so plentiful at that season 
of the year. 

At last she stumbled upon something in a small 
remote place up toward the Adirondacks. Not in a 
village but quite out in the country — in the small 
home of an elderly couple of German extraction, 
whose children were married and gone. 

There she lived the months of preparation and wait- 
ing. Hours were spent in walking, ever walking — 
through the short winter days — in the cold and over 
frozen roads with the snow piled high on either side 
and stretching away in an endless sea of white. 

Her evenings by the light of a shaded kerosene lamp 
were occupied in making the most elaborate and in- 
tricately embroidered garments for her baby : “ not 
that it mattered but she must be busy ! ” 

Soon after the new year was fairly launched she 
received an envelope bordered with black forwarded 
from Denver — the only way in which she received 
the few foreign letters which her apparent coldness 
and neglect had made infrequent. It was from her 
aunt’s husband, telling of the death of his wife in 
southern France. She shivered at the words — “ per- 
haps they might have met ! ” 

Then old-time recollections and memories held sway 


6 \ 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


and she mourned sincerely and deeply for her aunt, 
who had been the only mother she could ever re- 
member, and for the dear departed days of her inno- 
cent youth. Yet she was, “ glad she had gone before 
she knew the dreadful truth ! ” 

She did not confide in the hard-working, German 
woman — there are some things that need no explan- 
ation — and the good-hearted woman called her Mrs. 
Brown but she had her own doubts. 

Sometimes, in the solitude of her own room, she 
would let her sewing fall into her lap, and cover her 
crimson face with both hands — “ if I only could hate 
him!” Sometimes she thought she did: then visions 
of his many helpful acts in the sick-room — his tender 
and loving solicitude for sister and niece — and the 
memory of his strong personality as he sat by the 
small table and read to her that memorable night — • 
lifting eyes that were deep and dark with feeling, as 
he paused to quote a kindred passage or explain some 
hidden meaning, — and she knew that she did not. 

Again she would wonder, “ Why, if God were just, 
was the world so lenient with one-half of creation’s 
sinners and so hard on the other? ” 

“ Did he suffer the pangs of remorse and the sor- 
rows of a trailing, bedraggled and outraged religious 
conviction ? ” 

She felt herself to be a Pariah! — an outcast! for- 
ever doomed to loneliness and isolation. 

So the cycle of soul anguish went on, and the long 
winter literally melted into spring. 

After the snow was gone she went more often 
across country — noting the changes the season was 
bringing but not till well on into June did she speak 
of returning to the city. 

One late afternoon she returned, hat in hand, from 
what she knew to be her last walk through the fields. 
The glancing rays of the sun set on fire the loose coil 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


65 


of hair and intensified the lurking shadows of brown 
underneath. She smiled into Mrs. Schmidt’s admir- 
ing face, as that lady appeared at the door. 

“ I shall be leaving in a few days and I want to 
tell you how good you’ve been to me, and how much 
I ” — but she could not say more — something was 
clutching at her throat. She realized what it was she 
was leaving; — the shelter of this little home, the only 
one she had — and the kindly solicitude of the one 
person in all the world most nearly entitled to be called 
friend — “to go where?” 

She caught the two hard-working hands in her own 
and gave them a warm clasp — passed into her room 
and began preparations for leaving. 

The complete and elaborate layette was finished and 
had been admired by Mrs. Schmidt, who in all her 
life had never seen anything in that line half so soft, 
so fine, so beautiful. 

That evening Edah wrote to one of the great 
lying-in hospitals in the city, making arrangements 
herself for her own “ accouchement.” “No loving 
husband or dear friends to do that for her! ” “ No 

one to care if she lived or died in that dread ordeal ! ” 
and she bowed her head on the table and sat motion- 
less a long time. 

Then the words — “ We can suffer — may even die — 
but we must do right!” slowly shaped themselves in 
her mind and she felt comforted. “ For had she not 
been trying since ?” 

vj/ vjy \V/ 

^ ^ ^ ^ 

After the short, sharp, physical agony was over — - 

when her baby lay warm and softly breathing on her 
arm she could only snuggle it close to her heart — while 
from her closed eyes the tears trickled down on the 
pillow — as if she would shield it forever from the far- 


66 THE STORY OF EDAH. 

reaching effects of the “ sins of the fathers ” — and 
mothers. 

Presently wiping the tears from her eyes she took 
a peep into the small bundle. She saw a “ miniature 
reproduction of him!” to remind her always of her 
sin and wrong-doing. 

The nurse came and took the baby away, wonder- 
ing, “ what sort of a woman she was, anyhow, who 
could care so much for her baby under such circum- 
stances. If she had known as much as we nurses, 
he would not have happened/' 

As soon as she was able to leave the hospital, she 
rented a small furnished apartment and with a com- 
petent maid entered upon another phase of her life, 
which lasted till after Robert, her baby, had passed 
his third year. 

Beautiful he was, with his fair baby skin, blue eyes 
and flaxen curls, which Edah was never tired of ad- 
miring and fussing with ; and the embodiment of 
health, too, till he took the whooping cough in the 
fall. 

Edah was not at first alarmed, but any little thing 
the matter with Robert always worried and distressed 
her. 

When the coughing gained in violence and the little 
fellow began to waste away, the doctor advised taking 
him South and that was how it happened Edah and 
her sick child came to be in Biloxi. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


6 7 


CHAPTER VI. 

Robert slept late that first morning after their 
journey — and when breakfast was finished Edah was 
surprised to find how warm it had grown ; there was 
heat in the rays of that bright November sun. 

She ordered a hack and they drove about, looking 
at the quaint, old place. 

The trees in full green foliage contrasted delight- 
fully with the almost bare and leafless branches lifted 
high in the chilly air they had left behind a few short 
days before. The sight of the tall stemmed pines 
with their tufted tops outlined against the blue of the 
sky, and the wide-spreading branches of the large 
live oaks with their waving pennants of gray Spanish 
moss, was quite new and intensely attractive to Edah, 
so long shut up in the city. 

Robert was interested in everything he saw, es- 
pecially the bright, glittering waters of the Sound 
with the white-winged schooners, cat-boats and other 
craft passing too and fro. 

His mother glanced lovingly down at him thinking 
that already, even, he began to look better. 

In less than a week, they were installed in a small 
cottage far back from the beach, where many of her 
neighbors were colored. Edah thinking it would be 
better for the child than closer to the water. 

The house faced the south and like many others 
she saw, was painted white in front while the rough 


68 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


finished weatherboarding of the sides had been treated 
to a coat of red. 

The two connecting front rooms each opened out 
on to the usual “ gallery/’ as the porches there were 
called, and were provided with fireplaces; — back of 
these were two other rooms somewhat smaller in size 
with a shed in the rear, which was used as a wash 
house. 

“ Primitive simplicity, sure enough,” thought 
Edah, but it had been made very clean and thoroughly 
disinfected, true to her nurse’s instincts. During the 
cleaning process Robert was allowed to play on the 
gallery in the warm sun. There was no doubting the 
fact that the mild air and sunshine were working 
wonders with him and Edah grew almost light- 
hearted. She began herself to feel the effects of out- 
door life, and the freedom from the weight of a great 
anxiety. 

They walked in the woods and along the water — 
on the front beach as well as along Back Bay. Robert 
builded houses of sand and dug unnumbered wells. 
His mother had not the heart to force him to play 
away from the beach when he loved it so, but it 
brought back memories to her of the cold, dark 
waters of Lake Michigan on that awful night! be- 
sides she was afraid of meeting people which her in- 
stinct was to shun. 

The cook told her it was a little early for the 
winter visitors, but Edah knew she had met some peo- 
ple who like herself were walking aimlessly about 
picking up shells on the beach or gathering palmettoes 
in the woods — and of course she knew that she and 
Robert were objects of — “curiosity, was it?” at any 
rate, notice. None could help turning to look the 
second time at the fair, curly-haired boy, with red 
sweater and cap and the tall woman in black who 
looked so proud and reserved. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


69 


Several times she had met a pleasant-faced, gray- 
haired woman, generally carrying a book, who seemed 
always to be walking alone, and who invariably gave 
Edah a pleasant nod, which was returned very coldly 
at first. But no one could withstand the kindness of 
that smile — surely not Edah who was “ hungering and 
thirsting/’ for a friend with a longing away down in 
the depths of her soul that amounted almost to an 
obsession. 

At the close of an early December day as Edah and 
Robert, with their new acquisition of a bob-tailed 
black and white fox terrier were slo>vly walking 
westward along the beach, they were overtaken by 
the silvery-haired lady who had evidently “ come 
alongside ” for a friendly chat. 

Jack was inclined to look upon it in the light of an 
intrusion and gave a few sharp barks. 

“ Top it, Jack, ’top it!” commanded the small 
autocratic owner, in a way to make his mother smile, 
wondering how soon he had acquired the tone. 

“ Good-evening ; my name is Mrs. Williams, and 
yours — ? ” 

“ Mrs. Brown,” returned Edah,” and this is my son 
Robert and — ” smiling — “ Jack the ill-mannered, a 
very new member of the family.” 

“ I’ve not been here long and feel quite strange and 
I thought you looked that way too, which is my only 
apology,” said Mrs. Williams in her low voice. 

“ There is no need for any apology and you are 
right in your surmise about Robert and me being 
strangers.” And Edah related how ill her little boy 
had been and the wonders already worked in so short 
a time. The elder woman, from out her own large 
experience, knew how to enter in and sympathize so 
they chatted together in a friendly way as they walked 
along into the glowing sunset. 

Presently the elder woman came to a full stop. 


7o 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Far away over the water the evening sun was sink- 
ing low — his burning rays reddening sky and sea and 
lighting the billowy clouds with fires celestial. With 
tender, reverent eyes gazing through her gold-rimmed 
glasses she said, “ Wonderful the Hand that wielded 
the brush and mixed those incomparable colors.” 

Together they drank in the loveliness of that scene, 
which appealed to the religous in each as well as to 
their love of the beautiful. 

The chill in the night air warned Edah it was time 
to be going home. Experience had taught her the 
twilights were very short in this far away southern 
land. 

“ Come Robert, let mothey take your hand, we will 
go home in the car.” 

They turned northward at the first street, walk- 
ing under the two stately rows of live-oaks whose 
giant branches interlaced many feet above the street, 
forming a high, vaulted arch of living green, with 
its swinging streamers of gray floating in the breeze. 

“ This is where I live, and I hope you will come 
often to see me,” said Mrs. Williams, stopping at the 
gate of a neat white cottage, on the gallery of which 
sat an elderly man whom Edah rightly judged to be 
the husband of her new acquaintance. 

“ Robert and I will certainly do so.” 

“ Tan Jack turn too? ” spake up the small owner. 

“ Certainly he may, as often as you like — Good- 
night.” 

“ Good-night.” 

As Edah sat waiting for the car with her little, tired 
boy in her lap, she felt strangely calm and peaceful. 
Something seemed to soften up within her heart, and 
comforting thoughts of God as seen through the won- 
derful sunset, and through the eyes of a new-found 
friend, covered her as with a mantle. 

After Robert had eaten his bowl of whole wheat 

* 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


/i 


bread and milk and been tucked away in his bed, 
Edah sat thinking of the day’s events with alternate 
feelings of hope and joy, mingled with those of for- 
lornness and despair, which she had come to look 
upon as her normal state forever. She had shrunk 
within herself so long it was almost impossible to 
break away from the habit. She was timorous and 
afraid at the way her heart had responded to the 
evidently proffered friendship. 

“ I’m not fit to have a worthy friend, and I do not 
want any other! ” she groaned with face buried in her 
hands.” 

That poor, suffering, quivering heart of hers was 
yet to be the battle ground a while longer, of the 
forces of evil as opposed to the good : the former 
redoubling watchfulness and energies as signs of 
defeat — perhaps of complete rout — were faintly dis- 
cernible in the breaking dawn. 

Heavy-hearted she went to bed, after taking a last 
loving look at her rosy beautiful child. 

They both slept late and Susie, the colored cook, as 
she let herself in for the day’s work, could almost 
have carried off Edah’s idol without disturbing either. 
The morning was dark and cloudy, and the days were 
short besides — making it easy for young, tired people 
to sleep. 

There followed a week of rainy weather. Robert, 
used to the free outside life of the past month, grew 
tired of the house even with Jack’s delightful com- 
panionship. Edah resorted to her full powers of 
entertainment assisted by all the devices at hand — 
which were many — with rather mixed results. 

But even a rainy week comes to an end and it cleared 
off decidedly cold, but bright and sunny. However, 
it was not of the kind that freezes, and mother, boy 
and dog went for a glorious walk. 

Everybody else was out too, and Edah noting many 


72 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


unfamiliar faces, realized that the town was rapidly 
filling up with the season's visitors. 

Edah's feet followed the direction her thoughts had 
taken the past days and they found themselves walking 
under the green vaulted arch. They met Mrs. 
Williams coming toward them, well wrapped from 
the chilly north wind. 

“ Good-afternoon, my dear," extending a hand. 
“ How fared the shut-in week with the two small 
friends?" glancing down at the boy and dog but 
addressing Edah. 

“ Decidedly strenuous after the first day or two," 
returning the friendly greeting. “ We've had so 
little rain since we came, that I fear we are all spoiled. 
But isn't this glorious ? ” sniffing the air as they 
walked. 

They bent their steps in the direction of the post- 
office, the great social “ rendezvous " of the visitors, 
before the day of postman and free delivery in the 
village. But they were not bound for that point — 
Edah wrote and received very few letters and Mrs. 
Williams' husband attended to much of that for her. 

The air was too cold to keep Robert out long; — the 
friends arranged to have their lunch together in the 
woods the first warm morning and separated — the trio 
going northward to home and fire, while the friend 
retraced her steps alone. 

Three days later — a mild, calm, peaceful Sabbath, 
when the air blew soft from the water — the large 
roll was strapped into shape, Robert interestedly 
watching every move, and Edah and her small boy 
were ready for the anticipated picnic. .Susie too was 
to have a holiday. 

“ Be sure you fasten the house securely — -and shut 
Jack up in the wash house, we’re off," were the 
mistress's parting words. 

If Edah had been less strong, the contents of the 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


73 


shawl straps would have proved decidedly burden- 
some ; — two thermos bottles, one of water, one of 
milk, a substantial lunch for three — an extra coat for 
Robert, fancy work, shawl and tarpaulin. 

“ Looks as if we were moving/' smiling down at 
her darling. 

The word “ moving " started the old train of 
thought, “ where am I going, — what plans can I make 
for leaving here — No future, no past, only the tiniest 
bit of a present ! " 

“ She must throw it off ! Another was dependent 
upon her besides Robert for a pleasant day — she 
would listen to his loved chatter, and so forget for a 
while." 

They boarded the trolley on Pass Christian street 
and rode to the Bay, getting off where the car turned 
east. Edah sighted her friend sitting against a tree 
trunk some litttle distance ahead waiting for them. 

“ Well, here you are ! " as they came up to where 
she sat — “ I feared you had missed the car but I see 
we’re the delinquent ones. Too bad! ” 

“ No, indeed," rising — “ Not in this wonderful 

place — on this perfect day ! " glancing through the tree 
trunks to the blue waters of the shimmering bay — 
to the same colored sky seen through interlacing 
branches — to the forest of evergreen trees festooned 
with moss and southern smilax and the white-shell 
road taking the contour of the beach, stretching be- 
yond. 

As they continued on their way together Mrs. 
Williams said, “ I think it would have been easy for 
me to worship with the Druids — to adore under great 
trees and on mountain tops. I cannot see how any- 
one can possibly fail to see God, if he- thinks at all, 
when out in these woods with sky and water all 
around. No wonder the North American Indians, in 
their native simplicity, surrounded as they were by 


74 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


those vast solitudes, were children of awe — reverently 
listening in silence for the Voice of the Great Spirit. 
They did not need for the Psalmist to say ‘ Be still 
and know that I am God ! ' ” 

“ What is God ? ” whispered Edah. 

“ The Great Intelligence — Maker of the Universe 
and Author of my being and yours; — entitled to all 
homage, adoration and love,” and she bowed her 
head in reverence. 

After walking a while in silence she resumed — 
“ the indians were originally, before contaminated 
and outraged by contact with civilization, very re- 
ligous in heart and mind. All their teaching was that 
of the God of Nature — unless it is true as some claim 
— thev are the descendants of the lost tribes of Israel, 
in that case their traditions would have incorporated 
in them some of the teachings of that far-away time. 

The book of Revelation as well as that of Nature 
is open to us and yet, strange as it may seem, the 
lessons we could learn from them to our own spiritual 
advancement would place us far ahead of what we 
now are ; — we are so blind — so blind ! ” 

Remaining a while in thoughtful silence she con- 
tinued — “ Most of the treachery and vindictiveness of 
these children of Nature were retroactive from the 
cruel, heartless way in which their proffered kind- 
liness had been requited. Oh, the shame of it! civil- 
ization will yet have to stand before the bar of God's 
justice to receive what it merits for all the deeds 
done in violation of His most Holy commands ! ” 
And righteous indignation filled her heart and reflected 
from the earnest features. 

“ Please excuse me, my dear young friend, for 
sermonizing ; — my only excuse is that it’s Sunday, 
and all these wonderful things of His making were 
not to be resisted. But here we are at ‘ Lover’s Lane 5 
or more correctly speaking ‘ Lover’s Retreat/ ” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


75 


“ Robert and I have not been quite so far before 
although we have wandered along the Bay several 
times. Isn't it lovely, dear?" speaking to the child 
who was carrying his small, red pail and shovel and 
already making for the sandy beach which was not 
so nice as along the front but could be utilized in 
spots for “ well-making." 

Finding a suitable situation Edah opened the large 
bundle and took from it the tarpaulin and spread it in 
a sunny spot on the dry, pine needles which were 
thickly strewn over the ground, making a place in 
which Mrs. Williams could be comfortable, then 
gathered more of the fragrant straw to make a soft 
bed for Robert when sleepy time came. 

Removing sewing apron and work-bag combined, 
containing the sweater she was knitting for the child, 
she restrapped the lightened bundle and hung it to a 
twig saying rather hesitatingly, “ Do you think it very 
wicked to sew or do fancy work on Sunday? " 

“ I think," said her friend smiling, if one thinks 
it a sin to eat, for him it is sin ; there are so many 
acts each one must decide for himself — but there are 
certain fixed and eternal things that admit of no 
variation — a ‘ thus saith the Lord ’ from which there 
is no retreat. A day of rest was certainly provided 
that hard-working humanity, — I mean the ones who 
really and truly toil — might have a chance to let down 
from the strain and stress, and give nature a chance 
to become normal again. What is your idea? " and 
she looked pleasantly into the beautiful face of h°r 
young friend. 

“ I — I don’t know. Right and wrong seem to have 
become strangely confused in my mind. I was 
brought up to ‘ Remember the Sabbath day to keep 
it holy ’ — but somehow the old simplicity of outlook 
has passed away." 

She said no more, but bent over her work while the 


;6 


THE STORY OF ED AH. 


elder woman watched the little red cap bob up and 
down as its owner plied the small shovel, silently 
praying to be in some way helpful to this soul in 
distress. 

A small launch passed filled with excursionists 
going up the Bay for a Sunday’s outing; a couple of 
sail boats followed at intervals and but for the distant 
confused murmur of voices of those on board not a 
sound broke the stilly quiet of the air. All was so 
calm and tranquil. 

Softly, beautifully, Mrs. Williams recited “ The 
Forest Hymn ” of Bryant beginning with “ The 
Groves were God’s first temples.” The devout and 
reverent spirit permeating the stately and majestic 
lines, coupled with the beautiful surroundings, filled 
both speaker and listener with worshipful awe. 

Edah arose and went to play with her boy a few 
minutes before sleepy time, feeling a strange inward 
peace. 

Presently the two came up to the picnic ground, 
so laughing, jolly and chummy. 

After she had given the child his lunch she held 
him a while in her arms, singing little rhymes in a low 
voice. It would have been hard to tell which loved it 
most — the recipient of the favors or the one who so 
delighted to give them. When the winking grew long, 
she drew off his shoes and sweater and placed him 
within the folds of the warm shawl on the bed of 
fragrant pine straw. 

Mrs. Williams had been an interested onlooker. 
At the conclusion she feelingly said, “ With all my 
heart I envy you, Mrs. Brown ! ” 

“Envy me — me?” with a look of incredulous sur- 
prise in her face, leaning against a tree and fixedly 
gazing at the speaker. 

“ I was not thinking of our respective griefs and 
sorrows — everyone has those — ‘ Each heart knoweth 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


77 


its own bitterness ’ — neither was I thinking of your 
beauty — that is a gift I never possessed so I cannot 
mourn its loss — nor was I thinking altogether of 
your youth, although that might enter in. I’m not 
grieving for mine, now long since passed, as such; — - 
Fve entered the vale of old age and am content, — only 
— always, — Em hoping I shan’t die till I’m ready to 
be buried!” she fervently ejaculated. 

After a moment — “ No — I was thinking of your 
opportunities — possibilities.” 

Edah only looked and came and sat beside her 
waiting to be told what was that wonderful thing 
which presented itself to her friend’s mind in her 
outlook upon life, that could possibly include her. 

“You are absolutely free to carry out any and all 
of your righteous convictions, and secondly you have 
an innocent young soul to fit for time and eternity as 
well — if rightly prepared for the one, already fitted 
for the other — wheras I’m old — the sands of life are 
running low and short is the time left me in which to 
serve. I can think of nothing more sad than to know 
one has come to the end and done it all wrong ! ” and 
she bowed her gray head and covered her face with 
her hands. 

\ 

Full of sympathetic sorrow for her friend’s grief — 
yet not quite comprehending it — she was unable to 
make any reply. After a few moments spent in 
silence she arose and set about fixing their lunch. 

“ Please forgive me,” said the elder woman. “ I 
did not intend to thrust my woes upon you — but this 
wild longing to do the Master’s bidding lies so near 
the surface it is easily uncovered.” 

Edah was still mystified but her friend’s returning 
cheerfulness had a tranquilizing effect upon her and 
they ate their lunch talking in a light and happy vein. 

“ I wonder,” said Mrs. Williams, “ if the legends 
of this old place have as much interest and charm for 


7 § 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


you as they have for me? You know it is one of the 
old places of the country. D’Iberville made his land- 
ing here on his voyage of discovery and a small white 
cross marks the supposed spot on the other side of 
the Bay, although I believe others claim the landing 
was effected on the Island adjoining the Point, which 
at that time must have been connected with the main- 
land, but has since been separated by the constant 
swirl of the waters around the eastern end. I enjoy 
those interesting traditions even if they are all shad- 
owed in doubt. 

“ I saw the other day some charming little verses 
voicing the legends of the place in a rhythm and 
style so harmonious with their mystic meaning, and 
I committed some of them to memory.’' 

“ I should love to hear them,” murmured Edah. 
With a far away look in her eyes she began — 

“ There is a time when summer stars are glowing, 
And night is fair along the southern shore, 

The sailor, resting where the tide is flowing, 

Hears somewhere near, below his waiting oar, 

A haunting tone, now vanishing, now calling, 

Now lost, now luring like some Elfin air; 

In murmurous music fathoms downward falling. 
It seems a dream of song imprisoned there.” 

vi# vU \1/ 

^ ^ ^ m 

“ The legend tells of those who long have slumbered 
A forest race too valorous to flee, 

Who when in battle by their foes outnumbered 
With clasping hands came singing to the sea. 

The ocean drew them to her hidden keeping, 

The stars watched o’er them in the deeps above. 
Their death-song lingers, but the tones of weeping 
Tell the eternity of human love.” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


79 


They both sat silent — Edah seeming to hear the 
mysterious music softly echoing through the woods 
from shore to shore. But her friend's mind went 
back to its religious musings and she soliloquized 
aloud — 

“ Men have lived and died and the generations 
have gone on — great and wonderful things have been 
accomplished but — I sometimes wonder are we as 
advanced along lines of righteousness as we really 
might be — should be — after the lapse of so many 
centuries? and if not, why not? 

“ I have a theory that we might have gone ‘ cross- 
lots ' long ago, into the promised land, and escaped 

the devious wanderings through the cane-brakes, 
swamps, tangled vines and bushes of the wilderness 
of Zin — had we only been obedient to our Heaven- 
given chart. 

“ But we did not see fit to enter in and take posses- 
sion. Instead, like our prototype of old, we held 
back saying in frightened, awe-struck tones 4 there 
are giants over there ! ’ and our day of grace has 

long since gone by and we are moving with ever 

accelerating speed to our logical conclusion. 

“ Perhaps death itself might have been bound and 
thrown into the bottomless pit long since had we only 
seen fit to obey. It seems to me that obedience is 
worship to-day, the same as it was in the time of 
Samuel.” 

Of a sudden the shawl was thrown back and the 
occupant bobbed up into a sitting posture announcing, 
“ Fse awake ! ” 

’Twas a way he often had and one which his 
mother thought altogether charming and irresistible. 

He was dressed and “ snuggled ” a while and given 
his share of the feast, then the things were packed 
and faces turned homeward. 

They walked slowly along in the short December 


8o 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


afternoon — Robert urging speed in his desire to get 
back to his pet. 

“ Huhwy, mothey, huhwy, Jack wants me! ” 

They paused at the avenue where Mrs. Williams 
lived, to wait for the car. 

“ I dare say picnicing days will be getting more 
scarce for a while/’ said the latter — “ Christmas is 
less than two weeks off. It seems hard to realize,” 
glancing at the green boughs overhead. 

“ It’s not the kind we are used to, surely, and if I 
were a child I should wonder how Santa Claus were 
ever to get here with his sleigh and reindeer — for 
Susie says Christmas doesn’t seem natural without 

• 5 ) 

ram. 

“ Well, rain or shine, I want you and Robert to 
make no other arrangements for that day — for we 
want you with us.” 

“ Thank you, Mrs. Williams, it is so good of you — • 
we’ll be glad to come, won’t we, Robert? ” But that 
individual tugged at his mother’s finger, only bent on 
home and Jack.” 

“ Speaking of Santa Claus leads me to say ” — and 
she interrupted herself with a laugh — “ you see I 
have not done sermonizing! I’ve had grave doubts 
whether we do right in imposing this beautiful little 
fiction upon children. ‘ We, of larger growth,’ love to 
recall delightful memories of that enchanted time, 
but children as children do not like to be imposed 
upon — they despise being humbugged ; — as an evi- 
dence the first thing an enlightened child does is to 
impart his wisdom to others. Here comes your car,” 
holding out her hand — “ I thank you, my dear, for a 
truly pleasant day.” 

Edah took it in hers saying, “ I cannot tell you what 
it has been to me.” 

And Mrs. Williams noted a dewy softness in the 
deep, brown eyes that she had not seen before. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


81 


Edah had always found that part of the day hard- 
est after Robert’s merry chatter had given place to 
sleep. The long, winter evenings had been a terrible 
nightmare. She seemed to have lost her taste for 
reading, so, much of her sewing was done then — ac- 
companied by bitter reflections. 

To-night, however, as she worked at the sweater 
she was making, her needles simply flew — keeping 
time to the new, unusual thoughts that passed through 
her brain. 

Mrs. Williams’ invitation made her feel strange — 
queer — and her same old doubts about getting and 
keeping a friend under “ false pretenses ” assailed 
her. “ It was one thing,” she said to herself, “ to meet 
and enjoy each other under the leafy trees with only 
nature to see, and quite another to partake of the hos- 
pitality of her home; besides she might meet others.” 

But these brooding thoughts were crowded out of 
her mind by the earlier events of the day. 

’Twas her first sermon in years, her first little 
“ glimpse of Heaven, in oh, so long! ” 

During those years in the city after her baby was 
born her soul simply starved. She groped blindly 
about in all directions feeling if she might find God, — 
she did not want to be a pagan — she never for a mo- 
ment forgot there was a God — she couldn’t, — but she 
had gotten out of touch. 

Once she thought she would seek the church whose 
teachings her aunt’s friends had so often urged upon 
her. “No sin, suffering or death!” No evil or 
wrong-doing ! “ her every waking breath nailed that 
as false.” 

Then she thought of her own old faith and she pic- 
tured the large churches of that denomination with 
their soft, shaded, stained-glass light and holy quiet — 
their solemn religious ceremonies — magnificent and 
costly organs — faultless and expensive choirs and the 


8 2 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


silver-tongued orators from the pulpits expounding 
the way of life. And then she thought of herself 
stealing in, an outcast woman with her baby in her 
arms. For she never left him even for an hour. 
Her shopping and business were accomplished with 
her maid by her side holding the child. It was on one 
of these expeditions he had been exposed to the 
whooping-cough. 

The incongruity of the picture her imagination had 
depicted curved her lips in a scornful smile. So she 
grew hard and unfeeling. She wrapped her cloak of 
misery about her and silently suffered. 

But that was past — and she sat now before her 
brightly blazing fire thinking new thoughts. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


83 


CHAPTER VII. 

“ You can’t guess where we’re going, you and 
mothey,” as the two paused in the sunshine at their 
gate, equipped for walking, a few days after their 
picnic in the woods. “ We’re going down to the 
beach, and maybe we’ll go in a little boat ’way — ’way 
out over the water, won’t that be nice ? ” 

The child was delighted — he had often coaxed to 
go; — “ May Jack turn too?” 

“ Oh, no! He might jump out of the boat and we 
couldn’t get him a-n-y more; he’ll have to stay with 
Susie.” 

That was a damper for a few minutes but was for- 
gotten before they reached the beach. 

Boys and skiffs were not so plenty at that season of 
the year but diligent inquiry unearthed first one and 
then the other. 

Edah took her seat in the stern of the boat with 
her boy on her lap, and they were off. It was a new 
experience for both mother and child and as Edah 
looked down into the water which was so very, very 
close, she shuddered ; — memories of that wild night 
on Michigan’s shore leaped into her mind and she was 
afraid of herself. “ It would be so easy to sink be- 
neath those waters with her boy in her arms! No 
past to grieve over — no future to worry about ! ” 

The force and suddenness of the thought alarmed 
her, for of late her mind had been more at rest. 


8 4 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Robert’s exclamations of rapturous delight and his 
perfect, childish confidence in her care and protection 
caused a reaction of feeling and with an effort she 
gave her attention to the sixteen-year-old lad who was 
handling his oars most cleverly. They glided over 
the sparkling surface in a way to throw Robert into 
ecstacies and which gradually dispelled his mother's 
dark and morbid thoughts. 

“ Robert and I are going on a tour of inspection 
and will not be gone a great while," said Edah as the 
boat touched at the low pier in front of the Island; 
“ when we return I should like to try rowing myself 
if you can give instructions and hold my boy at the 
same time," smiling into his face. Later the return 
trip was made in that manner. She was awkward 
with the oars, but the lad was a fairly good instructor 
and they did not overturn. 

When they were once more on land Edah said, as 
she handed him his pay, “ Now, every day that it is at 
all suitable I’m going to want you — sometimes for an 
hour or two and sometimes for all day. Can I count 
on you? " and so it was arranged. 

By the time the weather began to warm in Febru- 
ary Edah was quite an expert oarswoman. She and 
Robert with Frank and the skiff became a familiar 
sight to the boatmen as well as the wandering tour- 
ists along the beach. 

The walks were not neglected either — they simply 
lived outdoors and the life was telling on both in a 
marvelous way. Edah had almost ceased to think : 
she basked in the warm love of child and friend and 
in the beauties of nature. 

After the three o'clock dinner she and Mrs. Wil- 
liams, with the small boy and dog, would walk and 
talk when the weather permitted, and their souls were 
knit together as were the souls of David and Jonathan 
of old. Edah had longed for her friend to go with 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


35 


them in the small boat but she was timid about the 
water and all entreaties were unavailing until at last 
she herself proposed it. 

“ Come, Robert/’ said Edah one evening after sev- 
eral days of rain, as she stood in the door of their 
little home, “ you and I and Jack, will walk down to 
the beach to see the sun go down, I think it is going 
to be fine/’ glancing skyward and westward through 
the plumy pine tops. 

No need to call Jack, there he was at their feet, 
wagging his stump of a tail and showing every evi- 
dence of dog delight. The three walked together 
down Grand Jack Alley, Robert and his “ Mothey ” 
hand in hand, the canine running on before. 

Turning westward on the beach the wonderful 
vision burst upon them. Involuntarily Edah stopped — * 
“ Glory, Robert, Glory ! ” with an in-drawn breath — 
clasping the little hand more closely. 

Indescribably beautiful it was ; the sun had disap- 
peared leaving in its wake a long afterglow of rich 
and radiant coloring. Along the western horizon lay 
a bank of smoke-colored clouds, as of a great prairie 
fire, with tongues of flame darting through ; above, a 
wide band of nile green sky separated it from a crim- 
son cloud stretching away to the south which reflected 
in the tide water near the shore the same brilliant hue. 
A broad expanse of beautiful blue sea spread to the 
southeast and was swallowed up where sky and water 
met and mingled in soft, evening gray. A solitary 
schooner sailing homeward with its freight of oysters 
was silhouetted against the changing sky. 

Gradually the rose-cloud faded ; all the wealth of 
coloring was concentrated on the rich purf>le-blue of 
the vanished smoke cloud, with its smoldering red 
above, which, by degrees merged and faded into the 
pale, evening sky. 


86 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Robert and Jack ran ahead while Edah walked 
more slowly drinking in the beauty of that wonderful 
picture, never twice the same. 

As she approached, Mrs. Williams rose from a 
wayside bench where she, too, had been watching the 
splendid miracle — old, yet ever new — and looking 
upon her friend’s beloved countenance thought she 
could understand something of the light that shone on 
Moses’ face when he descended from the Mount of 
Communion with God. 

“ Isn’t it glorious ! ” exclaimed Edah. 

Her companion quoted, “ Thy glories are new every 
morning and fresh every evening.” 

The silence of worship brooded over them as they 
walked along together in the fading light — Robert and 
Jack running ahead. 

When the shades of evening had absorbed the bril- 
liant coloring leaving only a lingering, radiant mem- 
ory they turned their faces homeward. 

“ Take mothey’s hand, Robert.” 

“ Look, mothey, see the wed ’tars ! ” pointing a little 
forefinger out over the water. 

Edah smiled, fondly squeezing the baby hand as 
she looked in the direction indicated where the beacon 
lights outlining the channel softly glowed against the 
dark, gray sky — reflecting themselves in the water 
below in elongated points of red, reaching shoreward. 

“ It is wonderful the distances my small boy walks 
in the course of a day ; I did not dream one of his 
age could do it.” 

“ My dear girl,” said the elder, “ I dare say we 
would all be astonished if we only knew the capa- 
bilities of children in every direction, if only allowed 
to develop along their own natural lines.” Adding 
with a laugh, “ I’ve another little sermon to preach 
some day on this very subject — it seems to be in my 
system and will have to come out ! ” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


8 / 


“ You’ll find me far from being a self-satisfied audi- 
ence — even an enlightened one, I fear. Robert and I 
have enjoyed several lovely, mild days on the Island 
lately ; to-morrow we might have a picnic at Point 
Cadet, I fancy it will be fine.” 

“ I really believe I’ve conquered my foolish nerv- 
ousness over the water — but you know half a century, 
and then some, of inland life is hard to get away from, 
but I’m going to make the effort, and if you like we 
might have our picnic on the Island.” 

“ Of all things. I really don’t think you will no- 
tice it at all after the first few minutes — after you 
get over feeling how close you are to the water.” 

At ten the next morning the little skiff “ Katie M ” 
put out to sea with an extra passenger. 

After the ordeal was over and a landing effected, 
Mrs. Williams confessed, “ It wasn’t as bad as I had 
expected — quite. Perhaps I shan’t mind the return 
trip — may even enjoy it,” with a doubtful little laugh. 

“ Frank, if you will kindly see that our luggage is 
safely transferred to the large cedar tree on the south 
side you may return for the day — only look occasion- 
ally to see if my signal is flying,” and she playfully 
waved a large red cotton handkerchief. At any rate 
be sure to be here by four.” 

The sand was white and clean, and plentiful enough 
to satisfy the soul of even the most exacting child, 
with water on three sides of their chosen picnic 
grounds. 

The sun was warm and quiet reigned supreme save 
for the lapping of the water and the occasional appear- 
ance of a lean pig or two, belonging to a house some 
distance in the interior, which Edah dispersed with 
the aid of oyster shells gathered by Robert on previ- 
ous visits for that very purpose. She had prepared 
a small fish-pole with string and bent-pin hook at- 
tachment in case the sand-digging palled — then set- 


88 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


tied herself with her work for an enjoyable talk or 
hour of listening, facing her boy in his play. 

“ Perhaps this is a propitious time for the disser- 
tation on matters educational,” laughed Edah, “ I’m 
ready.” 

“ There’s no denying I’m full of my subject, but 
like Moses of old I’m slow of speech,” as she too 
began her knitting. 

“ The old saying has it, ‘ every road leads to Rome,’ 
so with me every topic leads to religion before I get 
very far in it : which same convinces me that it 
should be the starting point; — one could radiate then 
in all directions, bringing up as one starts, with the 
great fixed and eternal principles of Righteousness 
and in my opinion we’ll never arrive anywhere till 
we do. You know it is said ‘ nothing is ever settled 
until it is settled right,’ and without the yard measure 
of the Sermon on the Mount no boundaries can be defi- 
nitely and decidedly fixed.” 

“You believe in the Bible? In the inspiration of 
the Holy Scriptures? ” inquired Edah — thinking some- 
how of her doubts in the olden days before her own 
sorrows entered in. 

“ Yes, my dear, in this way. The Old Testament is 
a splendid, granite base, upon which is reared a magni- 
ficent, glistening, snow-white shaft whose summit 
pierces the clouds and is lost to mortal vision ! ” gaz- 
ing into the deep blue above as if trying to discern that 
lofty elevation. After a short silence 

“ I think with the apostle, ‘ Every good and every 
perfect gift cometh down from above, from the 
Father of Light, when Whom is no variableness 
neither shadow of turning.’ If that was true in one 
period of the world’s history, it is equally true to-day.” 

“ Mothey, I’se thusty,” said a little voice at their 
side — calling both women to earth again — and Robert 
threw himself into his mother’s lap at the same time 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 89 

pulling off his little cap, revealing his moist curls, 
damp with the effort of his exertions. 

He had his drink and mother and boy chatted and 
laughed together till lunch and sleepy time came, the 
friend looking on as at a beautiful and much-loved 
picture. 

When he was soundly sleeping in the shade of a 
near cedar tree Edah resumed her work, waiting for 
her friend to speak. 

“ What is there in life that can equal the delight 
one has in a little child? which of course, at the same 
time is freighted with such tremendous responsi- 
bility! We do not even dream to what heights the 
race might attain if only education were rightly done, 
in the beginning and all along the line. By education 
I mean all teaching the child receives for good or evil, 
from his very beginning; and the light unthinking way 
in which people undertake the contract for the direc- 
tion and guidance of children is pitiable in the ex- 
treme. However, Eve about come to the conclusion 
that no training — only the instinctive love of the 
mother which calls forth and begets the same in her 
child — is infinitely better than that which most chil- 
dren get. 

“ A very deep thinker along those lines has said, 
* the ways of harming a child are infinite while the 
ways of being useful to him are few : * and peace is 
insisted upon — never in life is the need greater, and 
we who are old know how essential it is to our well- 
being — peace in all conditions and under all circum- 
stances. 

“ It almost makes me shudder when I think how 
difficult it must be for the young, inexperienced mind 
to be groping about trying to ‘ find itself ’ with some 
one always plaguing the life out of it by trying to 
force it into a different channel — one of their own 
choosing. The contest is so unequal ! 


90 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Yes,” she added with vehemence, “ we shrivel 
and dwarf and harden and so make them like our- 
selves — when instead they might almost soar on ether 
and hold communion with the angels ! ” 

“ I, — I fear Em one of those unthinking ones who 
are criminally responsible,” faltered Edah. “ It is 
time I were waking up.” 

“ May God help us all to cease from slumbering 
and be alive to everything that makes for righteous- 
ness,” fervently added her friend. And only the soft 
sound of the gently lapping water was heard in the 
stillness. 

Rousing herself she continued, “ One of the trage- 
dies of the times — perhaps the crime of the ages — is 
our prostitution, subornation, subjugation of the 
mind — soul of a little child, its one great priceless 
treasure. We are guilty of the wrong of having 
usurped the kingdom of another while the sovereign 
of that domain had as yet not attained to the age at 
which he could ‘ come into his own.’ A blacker crime 
has never been committed ; — deposing a king in battle 
array is as nothing in comparison ; ” winding up in 
an awestruck whisper mounting to horror. 

After a pause she continued, “If only people would 
see to it that the first seven years of the child’s life — 
the formative ones — it were everywhere taught the 
same beautiful things approved by both saints and 
sinners the world over! Love, truthfulness, honesty, 
sincerity, obedience, industry and a forgiving spirit; 
remembering always that the parents’ own life is the 
child’s most impressive lesson ! 

“ He should be allowed to enter the next period, 
that of study, with an unbiased mind — his inalienable 
right of possession. Long before his seventh year is 
passed he will have heard the Voice of the God of 
Nature speaking to his inquiring soul, and later when 
he comes to the Bible he will approach its pages un- 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


91 


prejudiced — reaching his own honest conclusions 
which none has a right to gainsay. But alas ! that is 
not the usual method,” and she sighed. 

“ Most of the rules and regulations of its early life 
are a positive crime against the child which he is 
dimly conscious of yet powerless to resist and which 
we are not great enough — strong enough to see and 
change. It is nothing short of awful ! ” and the ex- 
pression of her features corresponded with her words. 

“ After mothers have done their worst ” — Edah 
shuddered — “ they are sent to the schools to be fin- 
ished! and sensitive, refined mothers, who would not 
see a mouse killed, sit calmly by and watch their chil- 
dren’s souls murdered! Nay, more, they are even a 
party to it ! ” 

A horrified “ impossible ” broke from Edah’ s lips. 

“ It seems hard to believe but is true nevertheless. 
It is as natural for a child’s mind to reach out after 
knowledge as it is for him to breathe; one child may 
be deeply interested in one thing, and another will be 
eager for something else — but both are put at some- 
thing neither are interested in, and perhaps at a time 
when tired and nervous from long restraint ! .Some- 
one has said, ‘ without appetite for it — instruction is 
an evil — a terrible evil, causing people to become men- 
tally crippled for life/ 

“ The writer from whom I’ve already quoted says, 
4 the modern school has succeeded in doing something, 
which, according to the law of physics is impossible — 
the annihilation of once existent matter ! The desire 
for knowledge, the capacity for acting by one’s self, 
the gift of observation — all qualities children bring 
with them to school, have, as a rule, at the close of the 
school period, disappeared/ 

“ It is very often the case that students acquire 
knowledge at the cost of their personality — at the price 
of such qualities as assimilation, reflection, observa- 


92 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


tion and imagination. I have an idea if the knowledge 
of the three ‘ R’s ’ cannot be obtained without dwarf- 
ing or blighting the personality of the child they should 
remain unlearned — I think God would rather have 
righteousness than even Latin or Greek. 

“ Our present school system seems to me to re- 
semble Dunderbeck’s machine; into the great hopper 
is thrown the weak, the strong, the modest, timid and 
shrinking — the ubiquitous bully, the embryonic genius 
and the children of the moral and physical degenerate 
— the crank is turned and they all come out — sau- 
sage ! ” 

“ Is there no help for poor mortals ?” said Edah 
with a sad little smile. For all of this was vital to 
her as well as to the speaker although for somewhat 
different reasons ; one was thinking of her own small 
boy — the other of humanity. 

“ Yes, there is help. The whole matter might be 
summed up like this : — It is the duty of the parent, 
the God-appointed educator to see that the child is 
placed in its natural, therefore right and proper en- 
vironment and then proceed in nine hundred and 
ninety-nine cases out of a thousand to educate her- 
self” 

Edah thought she could understand something of 
what her friend had meant when she said, “ her work 
had been done all wrong ; ” perhaps her outlook on 
life had changed when it was too late. 

She kept revolving it all in her mind as she laid the 
cloth on the clean white sand and set out the good 
lunch Susie had prepared. 

While they ate her friend continued — “ as I said in 
the beginning, all instruction should begin with teach- 
ing the child the things which are right — and there 
again the parent or teacher must first get right herself 
for you know even had the Bible not said it, that it 
were folly for the blind to try to lead the blind. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


93 


“ If we have time after lunch I would like to wind 
up my little talk, which of course is the merest out- 
line of that vast and far-reaching subject, with a little 
extract from this book which I prize so highly,” and 
she drew from her bag a small volume of Tolstoy’s 
Essays and Letters. 

Again Edah’s memory went back to that far-away 
time — to her other life shut away from this by her 
sin — when thoughts of that writer and the ideas he 
promulgated were most disquieting; but now no out- 
look could cause her a ripple of disturbance, as com- 
pared with the unceasing vision of her own life’s 
historv. 

J 

“ We can read till Robert wakens, and after he has 
his lunch there will be time to finish, I fancy; it is 
early,” glancing at her watch. 

As Mrs. Williams opened the book a small clip- 
ping fluttered to the ground. “ I had almost forgot- 
ten this — something from Ruskin — with which you 
are doubtless familiar.” 

“ No, please read it.” 

“ Well, it never does any harm to refresh one’s 
memory with choice things like this,” and she read in 
her pleasant way, “ When do you suppose the educa- 
tion of a child begins? At six months’ old it can an- 
swer smile with smile, and impatience with impatience. 
It can observe, enjoy and suffer, acutely, and in a 
measure, intelligently. Do you suppose it makes no 
difference to it that the order of the house is perfect 
and quiet, the faces of its father and mother full of 
peace, their soft voices familiar to its ear, and even 
those of strangers, loving; or that it is tossed from 
arm to arm, among hard, or reckless, or vain-minded 
persons, in the gloom of a vicious household, or the 
confusion of a gay one? The moral disposition is, 
I doubt not, greatly determined in those first speech- 
less years.” 


94 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


She paused ; “ and yet ” — reflectively — “ we wonder 
that the race is not better ! ” 

“ Oh, the monumental responsibility of parent- 
hood ! ” and Edah sighed. 

“ Let’s see what Tolstoy has to say about it,” and 
Mrs. Williams reopened the book. “ This is an ex- 
tract from a letter written to a relative,” and she pro- 
ceeded to read — “ I think the first consideration of a 
good education is, that the child should know that all 
he uses does not fall from heaven ready-made, but is 
produced by other people’s labor. 

“ To understand that all he lives on comes from 
the labor of others, people who neither know nor love 
him, is too much for a child (God grant he may un- 
derstand it when he is grown up) ; but to understand 
that the chamber-pot he uses is emptied and wiped 
without any pleasure, by a nurse or a housemaid, and 
that the boots and goloshes he always puts on clean 
are cleaned in the same way — not out of love for him, 
but for some other reason quite unintelligible to him 
— is something he can and should understand, and of 
which he should be ashamed. 

“If he is not ashamed and if he continues to use 
them that is the very worst commencement of an 
education, and leaves the deepest traces for his whole 
life. To avoid that, however, is very simple. Let 
them do all they can for themselves ; carry out their 
own slops, fill their own jugs, wash up, arrange their 
rooms, clean their boots and clothes, lay the table, 
etc. It is true that here the chief difficulty crops up : 
children do willingly only what their parents do, and 
therefore I beg of you, do these things. 

“This will effect two objects at once; it makes it 
possible to learn less, by filling the time in the most 
useful and natural way, and it trains the children to 
simplicity, to work, and to self-dependence. 

“ Please do this. You will be gratified from the first 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


95 


month and the children yet more so. If to this you 
can add work on the land, if it be but a kitchen- 
garden, that will be well, though it too often becomes 
a mere pastime. 

“ The necessity of attending to one’s own needs and 
carrying out his own slops is admitted by all of the 
best schools. ****** Believe me, that without 
that condition there is no possibility of a moral edu- 
cation, a Christian education, or a consciousness of 
the fact that all men are brothers and equals. 

“ A child may yet understand that a grown-up man, 
his father — a banker or turner, an artist or an over- 
seer, who by his work feeds the whole family — may 
free himself from occupations which prevent his giv- 
ing all his time to his profitable work. 

“ But how can a child — as yet untried and unable to 
do anything — explain to himself that others do for 
him what he should naturally do for himself. 

“ The only explanation for him is that people are 
divided into two classes — masters and slaves ; and 
however much we may talk to him in words about 
equality and the brotherhood of man, all the conditions 
of his life, from his getting up, to his evening meal, 
show him the contrary. 

“ Not only does he cease to believe what his elders 
tell him about morality, he sees in the depth of his 
soul that all these teachings are mendacious, and he 
ceases to believe his parents and teachers, and ceases 
even to believe in the need for any kind of morality 
whatever. 

“ Yet one more consideration. If it is not possible 
to do all that I have mentioned, at least one must set 
children to do things the disadvantage of not doing 
which would be at once felt by them — e. g., if one’s 
clothes and boots for going out in are not clean, one 
must not go out! If water has not been fetched and 
the crockery washed up, there is nothing to drink. 


96 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Above all, in this matter do not be afraid of 
ridicule. Nine-tenths of all the bad things in the 
world are done because not to do them would be held 
ridiculous! ” 

She closed the book ; “ how altogether right he is in 
making these plain, simple, homely matters the found- 
ation of everything — even to the idea of the universal 
brotherhood of man. Love to our fellows, you know, 
is the only way we have of showing love to our 
Maker.” 

Edah’s work had fallen in her lap and she sat with 
her hands clasped about one knee — eyes bent on the 
sand. In low tones of conviction — “ deep down in 
my heart something tells me he is right. Any mother 
might start that way if she only could see and know/’ 
Looking into her friend's face, “ Isn’t he wonderfully 
clear and simple in his manner of writing? — and so 
conclusive.” 

“ Very. Take it home with you,” handing her the 
book from which she had just been reading, “ and 
you need not return it. You’ll find it deals with 
vital truths concerning religion and morality put in 
such a strong, forceful way, one cannot escape his 
conclusions.” 

“ Thank you so much,” putting the small volume 
in the bundle which she was doing up. “ I’m sure 
I will enjoy reading it for your sake if for no other 
reason,” looking up with a smile. 

“ Come Robert,” to that individual who had 
wakened and eaten and was busy at play — “ wave this 
so Frank will see and come for us,” reaching out the 
red signal. “ Hasn’t this been a lovely day? I shall 
remember it long,” and Edah’s eyes swept the waste 
of waters southward. 

The elder woman’s thoughts again went up in silent 
prayer that the seed sown might bear fruit. 

With considerable trepidation on her part, Mrs. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 97 

Williams was finally gotten off the wharf into the 
boat and the smooth ride home was begun. 

“ Frank tells me he has seen the water here in sum- 
mer time so phosphorescent that the oars seem dipping 
in liquid fire — and the drops that fall as they are raised 
and lowered are literally like sparks ! Is it not true? ” 
And Frank was launched on “ summer time and the 
sea,” a topic he was never tired of discoursing upon 
when Edah encouraged it, which she often did for she, 
too, had grown to love this calm and tranquil body of 
water with its varying moods. 

As they neared the landing, “ Do you know Fm 
tempted to remain here all summer — till you and Mr. 
Williams return in the fall : ” said Edah musingly. 

“ I think you might find it enjoyable, from what 
Frank says.” 

And that individual's entire being was permeated 
with gladness at Edah’s words. 

That night Edah sat and pondered, with her friend's 
book in her lap. It was not altogether a tranquil 
reliving of the events of the day — although she dwelt 
long on the wonderful, to her, revelation concerning 
the nature and training of a child. She had never 
dreamed of the vast heights and depths of that most 
important subject. “No wonder the world is what 
it is ! Oh, the mutilated, crippled little innocents ! ” 
and her sympathetic heart ached with the thought. 

She opened her book and tried to get interested, but 
she was restless. Finding she could not read, she took 
up her work, but that led to thinking and planning for 
the future. “Where?” “What?” “Back to the 
life without a friend?” 

“ Unthinkable ! ” 

Neither did she welcome the thought of visiting for 
a while, and remaining near Mrs. Williams, as the 
latter had urged. “ There were the married children 
who might not understand — or might, which? and 


9 8 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


who would poison their mother’s mind and heart 
against her.” 

But underneath and underlying these reflections 
was another which had troubled her on many previous 
occasions and which, like the famous ghost would not 
down. “ She must no longer delay the confession to 
this good, unsuspecting woman — no longer claim this 
priceless friendship with that dark secret in her soul. 
"Twas gaining and keeping it under false pretenses,” 
an offense against which her honest soul revolted. 

The final decision was reached at last, and she was 
almost feverish with the desire to have it over. 

She went late to bed, but her sleep was broken and 
fitful. She was glad she had decided, but she wanted 
to know her fate at once. For the most part she could 
not think of that friend casting her off — but the 
doubts would come by spells — and oh ! how she 
dreaded to see the shade of disappointment and cold- 
ness cross those loved features. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


99 


CHAPTER VIII. 

The following day was foggy — the deep, dense kind 
that just rolls in off the sea — enveloping everything 
in its moist, shadowy arms. 

Edah’s spirits were in accord with the day — low, 
damp and depressing. She was restless — setting the 
house in order with an energy surprising to Susie, 
whose work had been usurped — taking up her sewing 
for a few minutes, then laying it down again. 

Robert soon caught the infection and began to fuss 
— Jack whined to be let out of that uncongenial atmos- 
phere and even Susie must have come in for a share 
of the general disturbance, for Edah heard distinct 
sounds of smashing crockery from the vicinity of the 
kitchen. 

Things were beginning to get unbearable to the 
mistress. 

“ Come Robert,” she said with decision, “ we will 
go for a walk, it's only fog! ” 

So the three set out in the direction of the Live 
Oak avenue. As they walked the fog seemed to grow 
lighter and by the time they knocked at Mrs. Williams’ 
door it had dispelled sufficiently for Edah to appear 
sane in her request to that lady to join them in a 
walk. 

“ Surely — I shall be delighted : but come in and 
sit for a while, I’m not quite ready.” 

Robert preferred to remain outside with Jack— 


* ) 
> ) ) 


t 


100 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


and Edah noted the crystal drops that hung on each 
fairy curl, and clustered on the fuzzy wool of his 
little cap. 

By the time they were once more started, the fog 
and mist had rolled away, and Edah felt somehow 
that it was a good omen, and her spirits rose accord- 
ingly. 

“ We will stop by the house, and Til see what can 
be made ready on such short notice, for a respectable 
lunch/’ 

Susie was singing a Sunday-school hymn and had 
apparently recovered “ tone ” — if indeed she had lost 
any — and set about cheerfully to get together what 
was available in the house. 

They walked down to Pass Christian street thence 
eastward toward the Point — Robert’s favorite picnic 
ground outside of Deer Island — past a vacant lot 
near the heart of the village where a group of elderly 
men in shirt sleeves were industriously playing quoits. 

Every sunny day found many of these men engaged 
in that health-giving pastime; men who had come 
from their farms in Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois — 
leaving the cold and ice and their hard-working days 
behind them, to enjoy the mildness of this salubrious 
clime and their long deferred rest, in this the evening 
time of their lives. 

The women nodded to Mr. Williams, who was one 
of the number, and all in return had a word for the 
child. 

“ I’m selfishly glad you are not known and appre- 
ciated so well by everyone as by myself,” said Edah 
as they moved along — “ however, their loss is my 
gain,” with an affectionate smile. 

“ Habit is a hard thing to overcome,” returned the 
other. “ In my earlier years I was a very busy woman, 
as you may imagine, with eight children and only 
limited means : but in spite of their wealth or their 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


IOI 


poverty I like people even if I am slow about making 
new friends.’" 

They walked leisurely, for Robert’s little legs were 
getting tired, chatting as they went. 

After reaching their objective point, the extreme 
end of Point Cadet — where Mississippi Sound merges 
into Back Bay, they sat down to rest under a great 
oak tree — even Robert being willing to sit a while in 
his mother’s lap, while she ran her fingers through his 
soft curls. 

It was a quiet, unfrequented spot, well shaded with 
large live-oaks and magnolias and Edah loved it 
especially because Robert was so happy there. He 
was never tired of looking at the sails that passed, call- 
ing out to her, “ Mothey, see — there turns ’nothah 
’choonah ! ” and watching with interest the slow open- 
ing and closing of the draw-bridge to let the boats 
pass from one side to the other; and the long railway 
trains that crossed over the low bridge were a source 
of unending delight. 

His mother’s gentle, caressing touch was too sooth- 
ing to be resisted by the tired little fellow. Mrs. 
Williams opened the strap and took from it the shawl 
and spread it in a selected spot and he was soon 
‘ tucked in ’ for a nice, comfortable sleep. 

Edah stood some minutes looking down at her 
sleeping boy, silent and distraught; then her gaze 
wandered out over the water as if seeking help and 
strength to speak of that which had been so long 
locked tight in her own bosom. 

Her friend knew she was laboring under some 
inward excitement and felt sorry for her : whatever 
it was she longed to kiss it away as a mother would 
comfort her little child. 

Presently Edah came and sat beside the elder 
woman. With unsteady voice and burning face she 


102 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


faltered, “ I’ve — I’ve something I wish to tell you,” 
and paused. 

“ Well, dearie, never mind about it now, if it 
troubles you to tell it, but — perhaps I might help 
straighten matters out.” 

“ Oh, nothing can ever do that ! ” and she buried 
her face in her friend’s lap that no eyes might see 
her shamed look, and told the whole miserable story. 

The friend gently stroked the beautiful hair, now 
loosened and tumbled about, mumuring softly, “ you 
poor, dear child — dear child.” 

Then when Edah grew calm and still — “ Listen ! 
Do you not remember what the great Teacher said? 
‘ Neither do I condemn thee, go, and sin no more.’ If 
the Holy One and Sinless could forgive — how much 
more should poor erring mortals ! But” — and she 
sighed, “ in the false way the world has of looking at 
things in general, and this matter in particular, man 
has only to render an account to a forgiving God — 
while woman has to reckon with a hard and most 
imforgiving world as well ; — still there is comfort to 
be found, in that if God be with us, let the whole 
world be against us.” 

Edah only groaned by way of reply. 

In a low tone her friend went on — “ That woman, 
whosoever and whatsoever she is, — black, white, red 
or yellow, — to whom a man first unites himself with- 
out the ceremony of priest, bishop or pope — that 
woman is his wife according to the fixed and un- 
changeable law of God, no matter how much we may 
try to deceive ourselves by thinking otherwise.” Add- 
ing by way of parenthesis, “ our man-made rules and 
regulations concerning marriage make me think of 
our trying to change by law the sum of two and two. 
Any and all additional or subsequent unions with an- 
other, so long as she does live, will have to be classed 
under the head of adultery. The father of your 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


103 


boy ” — she felt Edah shudder at the words — “ Is your 
lawful husband in the eyes of heaven; and you are 
as much his wife as nine-tenths of the married women 
of our land, who look so haughtily down upon their 
sisters who have side-stepped ! ” 

Edah sprang up — electrified — and gazed at her 
friend almost in fear that her reason had departed. 
But her companion went calmly on. 

“ It is quite impossible for me to believe these 
terrible institutions of vice and iniquity which abound 
in all our social centers, and which are so costly both as 
to life and money, are maintained and sustained by and 
for the fathers of the land exclusively. 

“ No — no — I feel Em quite right in my statement 
that there are few wives in our land, or any other, 
who are not living in concubinage. And how can we 
hope for anything but increasing misery so long as 
these things be true? 

“ Even after marriage many a man has purchased 
for himself full and free absolution for all sorts of 
irregularities by large emoluments given the wife of 
his bosom, zvho ofttimes knowingly accepts the same 
in lieu of unbroken marriage vows! 

“ When the women of this and all other lands will 
consent to relegate the ‘ fallen man ’ to the same 
limbo they sentence their erring sisters, the world 
will spring forward and upward in great leaps and 
bounds along the line of rightness. But so long as 
virtuous, noble women continue to ostracize their 
delinquent sisters and condone the same offense in 
their brothers, conditions will never be any better.” 
And she prayerfully added, “ would that both men 
and women would enter the ‘ Kingdom of Self-respect * 
and dwell therein evermore ! ” 

Edah sat with hands clasped about one knee — her 
face reflecting the vital, absorbing interest she felt. 
She had almost forgotten her own miserable con- 


104 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


fession as she listened to her companion's strange and 
new — to her at least — outlook on life. 

She hesitatingly asked — “ But don’t you think the 
male of the species is constituted somewhat differ- 
ently from the female in that in a majority of cases 
they are governed by stronger passions ? ” 

“ If I have read aright, the great and eternal laws 
of the Almighty are not intended for obedience only 
when that obedience is easy — ‘ Thou shalt not commit 
adultery ’ was meant for observance regardless of 
the ease or difficulty attending it. 

“ This law, like all others, was not labeled ‘ to be 
observed if convenient — to be disregarded if other- 
wise.’ 

“If the command has grown obsolete for man’s 
observance it is also inoperative for the woman. 

“ Once was, when woman made excursions into the 
by and forbidden paths of shame she brought back 
with her the evidences of her guilt ; but she has be- 
come wise in her day and generation and can now 
enter the realm of iniquity with the same ‘ let the 
world prove it ’ air as a man.” 

She paused — “ I am minded of a ‘ heart to heart ’ 
talk I had with my colored laundress the other day 
after missing various and sundry stockings, hand- 
kerchiefs and towels. 

“ ‘ Yes, Miss Jane,’ she admitted, ‘ it’s a great wrong 
to take anything that don’t belong to you — the sin is 
in being found out!' 

“ I was only left guessing as to my erstwhile belong- 
ings ; ” and she smiled at the remembrance. 

“ This poor woman only reflected what the world 
has come to accept; — so long as we can escape detec- 
tion, wrong-doing is not a crime apparently; and 
women are becoming wise as to detection — hence their 
absolution ! 

“ A learned judge on the bench has, after grave and 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


105 

serious deliberation handed down his decision that a 
man may take little dives into the underworld and re- 
turn — none the worse for the trip — the same loving, 
tender, thoughtful husband and father as before. 

“ ’Tis a poor rule that won’t work both ways and 
woman is testing the verdict in her own case. 

“ Perhaps we are needing just such an object les- 
son as this, along with all the other object lessons we 
are receiving ! ” look and tone corresponding with her 
words. 

“ My dear young friend, an early marriage with 
good, hard, physical labor combined with plainness of 
diet is a great corrective for lasciviousness and de- 
bauchery and the ‘ sin in high places.’ ” 

Remaining silent a while in deep thought, she pres- 
ently resumed — 

“ God’s laws were made — not for the good of man- 
kind, for his training and uplift; — they are because 
they are! 

“ A Perfect and Holy Being could only have laws 
that were in accord with Himself. 

“ To give humanity a chance these laws have been 
revealed to man for his own edification and perfect- 
ing. So they go forever on — and when humanity runs 
in accord all goes well — if counter to and against — 
then sorrow and suffering is their portion.” 

These things had long been in her mind — only 
awaiting fitting opportunity to be put into speech. 
She had surmised something of what her young friend 
had embodied in her confession — and her sympathetic 
pity had augmented her already tender love for the 
beautiful young woman who seemed so aloof from 
her kind. Laying her hand affectionately on Edah’s 
arm she continued — 

“ God did not give me a mind that could believe a 
thing was both black and white at one and the same 
time. So when the scriptures make the Son of Man 


io6 THE STORY OF EDAH. 

to say there is no separation for the twain when once 
united — and in another place that they can be di- 
vorced — it is quite impossible to believe both; and I 
elect to take the command which is most in accord 
with the rest of his utterances. They may choose to 
live apart, but never can either be united to another 
while both live, according to the great, fixed and eter- 
nal laws of righteousness.” 

And she added mournfully and low, “ this man has 
seen fit to condemn you to a life of singleness so long 
as he lives.” 

“ Oh, if that were only all ! ” moaned the unhappy 
young woman. 

“ To blight another’s life,” continued the speaker, 
“ is one of the terrible results of a disregard of rec- 
titude in one’s own life, and it is no small thing he and 
others of his kind will have to answer for in the final 
readjustment if not before. ’Tis a pity the sinner 
cannot bear all of his own guilt, without scattering 
the burden and blight of it on to the innocent.” 

“ But I’m not innocent! ” hiding her burning face in 
her hands and forgetting for the moment what was 
generally uppermost in her mind — her innocent boy. 

Her friend put her arm reassuringly about her as 
she went on — “ Sanctified union was instituted to re- 
lieve the repression to which human nature would 
otherwise be subjected, so that the strong, hopeful, 
constructive years might be filled with useful purpose 
and endeavor, instead of the continual nervous strain 
of resistance to nature’s demands, that warps instead 
of strengthens the character when carried to too great 
lengths. 

*' Men — and women too, why not? feel the necessity 
for mating — feel the call of their animal natures — but, 
oh ! they are going about it so wrong ! so wrong ! 

They are letting themselves down to the level of 
their lower natures instead of keeping it in subjection 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 107 

to the higher. It is like eating the rich and tasty 
food, saying, ‘ I don't think it hurts me any ' — instead 
of saying, ‘ this other is good for blood, bone and 
muscle,' and eating the wholesome things." As her 
companion remained silent, she went on — 

“ A great deal of the present disorder, confusion, 
sin and suffering is due to the lack of right early 
training — all of it, I suppose," with a sigh. 

“ The young should be reared to an outlook that 
will embrace the whole of life. Anything short of that 
is a criminal wrong, to my mind. They should be 
warned against wasting their time and strength un- 
duly, while wandering 4 among the groves of singing 
pine trees ’ and ‘ by the pleasant water courses ' of 
early life ; their strength should be conserved for 
4 the long road and the lonesome valley ' and the 
dreary mountain climb at the end ! Then not all of 
life that is worth while will be condensed in the few 
short years, which only tends to accentuate the bleak- 
ness of the rest. 

“ I have found out if one would have winter flow* 
ers preparations must begin in the spring and summer 
time." 

She had fallen to musing again and Edah did not 
like to disturb her — at last she spoke — 

“ You surely would not make old people of the 
young? " 

“ Heaven forbid," replied her companion. “ Youth 
is the time to be light-hearted, happy and gay — but 
the young can be all of that and at the same time be 
taught the meaning of duty, responsibility, righteous- 
ness, which will not in reality lessen the enjoyment of 
their youth, will even augment and make it brighter. 

“ They must learn to be interested not only in the 
things of now but in something that will do equally 
well for to-morrow, next year and forever." 

“ But can such a thing possibly be? " 


io8 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Yes, I feel sure — when the young are educated — 
trained in righteousness. It is going to be difficult to 
inaugurate, I do not deny, for the teachers will have 
to be able to rise above their own early training, 
which is, oh ! so very hard ! ” and she sighed, thinking 
that her own emancipation from the education of her 
youth which had been acquired with so much of soul 
stress, had come too late to bear visible fruit in her 
own family. 

“ It seems to me the whole of life, from center 
to circumference — individually and collectively — will 
have to be reconstructed on the plane of truth, in- 
tegrity, openness and honesty of purpose. 

“‘To be forewarned is to be forearmed and if 
parents and teachers would really seek to enlighten 
the young — would make them to understand — the toil 
and weariness of the 4 long road ’ may be considerably 
lightened as well as that of the steep mountain climb at 
the end. 

“ The hope, courage and dare of the young when 
combined with the experience of the old, might work 
wonders. But so often — in fact nearly always — they 
are like the friend of my young days, who, when her 
mother begged her not to pursue a certain course of 
action saying, ‘ listen to me Sarah — I know — I’ve had 
experience in such matters/ replied, ‘ I understand 
mother, but I want my own experience ! 9 

“ What can one expect when we read such counsel 
as I came across the other day. A popular author 
gives it as his opinion that three years is the extent 
of the life of that wild infatuation which is usually 
supposed to herald the approach of marriage and be- 
come its fruition! and that the bliss of those few years 
fully compensates for the lack of it during the rest of 
life ! Possibly he was joking/’ she added, “but it is 
a grim sort of humor. 

“ I, myself, should think that last statement depends 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 109 

largely upon whether the rest of life were full of 
bickering, incompatibility and misery — a state of 
things which tends to dim the luster of any early 
romance, however ardent, and might even turn the 
memory of it into loathing. 

“ It is true that passion is, at the present time, the 
foundation of marriage; and the contracting parties 
awaken after a time in surprise and consternation to 
find a life of diplomacy — strategy — and manipulation 
awaiting them instead of one founded upon friend- 
ship — comradeship — built upon mutual confidence and 
respect. 

“ But if this writer has set the time limit correctly 
to that intoxicating period, is it not up to us who are 
old — who have had the experience and know — to 
save the young from such a rude awakening? 
Warnings may not be heeded — but very early unions, 
before the fiery imagination has gotten in its deadly 
work would help immensely. But — ” and she added 
ruefully — “ there comes in the question of economics. 
Under our present false system very few young men 
are fitted to embark on matrimonial seas at an early 
age.” Adding vehemently — 

“ If our civilization precludes a righteous life then 
let it be torn to shreds and tatters and the fragments 
scattered to the four winds. We may preach ‘ let us 
do evil that good may come/ both by precept and ex- 
ample till the end of time but not a fraction of an 
ounce of good will ever come of it. 

“ Our whole miserable system of life is teeto- 
tally, absolutely and altogether wrong ; ” she said with 
emphasis, and her face gave evidence of the deep 
feeling within. 

She had almost forgotten the presence of anyone 
save herself, and continued her monologue, looking 
out over the water with unseeing eyes. 

“ I am not, like some, surprised at the increasing 


no 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


marital unrest; I fail to see how we could logically 
expect anything else. God knew poor miserable 
humanity far better than it knows itself, when He 
said, by the sweat of his brow and in toil should man 
eat bread and the woman should in sorrow and trouble 
bear children. 

“ So long as both were obedient to the law of their 
natures, whether natural or made so as a result of 
their evil doing, it matters not — all went compara- 
tively well. They had a community of interest and 
lived their lives together in mutual help and sym- 
pathy: — lives which of course were full of hardship 
and with sorrows and griefs as well, but from which 
they could not wholly expect to escape. 

“ After a time there came a change and the man 
high up in the social scale concluded he did not have 
to toil and sweat ! He would eat once again of the 
fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, this 
time of his own volition! So he repudiated his birth- 
right — substituting athletics, games and outdoor sports 
in place of the necessary toil — so causing the work 
of the world to be done by a part of its family instead 
of all, thus doubling their portion. 

“ And now the woman says to her Maker, ‘ the man 
whom thou hast given me has tempted me and I no 
longer will bear children in suffering and in sorrow/ 
So she has taken the bit in her teeth and is going hell- 
bent as fast as any man, and I dare say will 4 beat him 
to it!' 

“ Pardon the language, but nothing else seems 
adequate/' she interpolated. “ But I suppose,” — 
reflectively — “ when soul speaks to soul one's English 
does not so much matter.” 

Taking up the thread of her discourse, “ and now 
these two poor deluded creatures, who have ‘ sold 
their birthright for a mess of pottage 9 thinking to 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


hi 


escape their destiny, are sweating far more in the way 
of their own choosing. 

“ If people could only see and understand that 
they must reorganize the present conditions of mar- 
riage in such a way that each may develop along his or 
her own lines — which may indeed land them very 
widely apart, no matter how congenial they might 
have been at their union. While such a result might 
not be quite unexpected it can be worked out far 
more happily than is possible under the present 
regime. 

“ Out of the boundless liberty everyone craves for 
himself, each — both, — could be free to voluntarily 
give up all — make a complete sacrifice when the 
sorrows of another or the woes of the world made 
an appeal. 

“ The most precious word in the English language 
or its equivalent in any tongue — is FREEDOM ! 
LIBERTY ! to receive the reward of right action, or 
suffer the penalty of disobedience, without the inter- 
vention of man-made laws.” 

The words were uttered with an intensity of feeling 
which left no doubt in her hearer’s mind of their 
vital interest to the speaker. 

After a little pause — “ But I am wandering — 

“ So long as woman was loving, submissive and 
trusting, content to lose her personality in that of her 
husband — all went better. But she has learned to see 
that she, too, is an individual and as such is respon- 
sible to her Maker for the ‘ deeds done in the body.’ 

“ It seems to me all laws respecting marriage 
should be done away with, saving only the one ‘ spoken 
by the mouth of the Lord/ Each should be free 
along all other lines, but never, never should either 
transgress the law of their union. 

“ Once men and women were necessary to each 
other — the nature of the woman was a complement 


112 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


to the man — it needed the two to round out and 
perfect each. But things are different now/' and she 
sighed. 

“ The man no longer stands in need of a help- 
meet. His well-appointed and luxurious club does 
for him instead of a home, and a house of prostitu- 
tion or an accommodating friend serves him instead 
of a wife. So he is enabled to take his leisure in 
selecting a woman to share his name who will bring 
him prestige, wealth or position — perhaps all three — 
unless peradventure he falls a victim to the mach- 
inations of a clever and designing mamma." 

Once Edah would have been shocked at such a 
statement — would have refuted it stoutly, but her own 
experience left her small room for skepticism. 

The speaker interrupted herself to say, “ what a 
long sleep the dear child is taking! it must be getting 
late." 

Edah glanced at her watch, “ why, so it is — after 
one! I’ll set our lunch at once and then if he is not 
awake I'll awaken him." 

When the simple preparations were completed she 
glanced in the direction of the sleeping boy, and there 
he lay wide awake, looking at her with his merry 
blue eyes. 

She caught him up and hugged him close — close — 
struggling to keep back the tears and a little sob 
that would come. “ The clouds seemed to be cluster- 
ing less darkly above that sunny little head — life 
might yet hold something in store for him, and so 
for her." 

As they ate, the minds of both were full of the 
deep thoughts and disclosures of the morning, and 
the meal was more or less silent ; — the reactionary 
silence that comes after two people have laid bare 
the innermost thoughts of the heart. 

After Robert had gone joyously down to the beach 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 113 

with his small pail and shovel, and the remains of 
the feast had been cleared away, Edah took her 
sewing, asking as she seated herself, “ Did I under- 
stand you to say you do not believe in marriage as 
understood by the world? Would you do away with 
all religious or civil ceremony ? ” 

“ Everything which tends to hamper the freedom 
or restrain the liberty of the individual is an evil and 
must be eliminated. All organizations, the marital as 
well, are controlled in one of two ways ; either by a 
filibustering minority or an orthodox majority. The 
‘ I will ’ and ‘ I won’t ’ of one or other of the two 
partners is oftentimes quite sufficient to roll up a 
large plurality.” 

Edah smiled, but her friend went on — “ Many a 
two-by-four head has been known to dictate to and 
dominate one that was six-by-eight. I once heard a 
person say she’d rather make a failure of life and 
follow her own leadings than achieve success through 
the dictates of another. I, myself, should scorn t& 
coerce another with the same intensity I feel when I’m 
the victim. 

“ Do you know,” and her voice fell almost to a 
whisper, “ many a peaceful minority has been obliged 
to sacrifice convictions of right to the esthetic feelings 
or ideas of the proper conventions, traditions or 
etiquette of the ruling element ! ” 

She paused in sad contemplation of some picture 
thus suddenly brought to her mind. 

Presently she roused herself to say with some 
vehemence — 

“ There is one truth at the base of all my convic- 
tions — if people are individually responsible then they 
must be individually free! 

“ We are husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, 
sons and daughters but first and foremost we are 


H4 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


individuals, with a life to account for, for whom no 
one else is responsible in the living! 

“ I cannot possibly think for one moment that 
God ever bound a person hand and foot and then 
commanded him to run a race, if we are bound it is 
of our own doing. 

“ But,” and she paused a moment in reflection, 
“ I think I see the dawn of a great and glorious day 
wherein each — both — everyone will have perfect and 
absolute freedom and liberty of action. 

“ By that I do not mean license for the gratification 
of personal desires; but it may be,” she added more 
slowly, “ we will first pass through those turbulent 
waters where the abuse of individual liberty runs riot 
before we really and truly realize ‘ that whatsoever 
one soweth that shall he also reap/ 

“ The time is coming — may even be now ” — and she 
paused with the greatness of the thought, “ when as 
the apostle says, ‘ there will be, neither Jew nor 
Greek, male nor female, bond or free!’ whether or 
not the time is ripe for conformity to such a high 
and lofty ideal, I cannot say ; one thing is sure, — it is 
certainly imperative upon him who sees it so, but for 
those who have already been joined in wedlock — it is 
not for them,” and she fell into a sad reverie. 

“ But,” said Edah, referring to her previous re- 
mark, “ if all law and restraint were done away with, 
would it not lead to terrible wickedness? would not 
our very lives be in danger?” 

“ Oh, my dear, I never thought for a moment of 
doing away with all law ! I couldn't if I would, and 
I wouldn't if i could ! God's laws are quite sufficient 
for all governing, if we would only stand aside and 
give them a chance for full and perfect operation. 
They work with unerring accuracy and no one need 
fear an unjust sentence. 

“ I think all people, if given the opportunity, would 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


feel as did David of old when he chose to fall into the 
hands of an offended God rather than into those of 
his enemies.” 

She paused a moment while a smile spread over 
her features — “ I am minded of a circumstance in my 
own experience which might serve as an illustration. 
The small child of a friend had broken one of the 
rules of her governing — been disobedient or naughty 
in some way — and when told by her mother she 
would have to be punished cried out hastily and in 
considerable alarm, 4 let father spank her — let father 
spank her, he knows how/ ” 

Edah, much amused, admitted it was a good illustra- 
tion. 

Sobering, Mrs. Williams went on with her argu- 
ment — 

“Of course I cannot say what, neither do I feel 
called upon to map out, the method of procedure the 
Heavenly Ruler would take were the reins of govern- 
ment entirely given into His Hands. But I have a 
strong conviction that were we only humbly obedient 
— without any preconcerted effort on our part — 
everything would fall into place like magic, — like the 
touching of a button starts all the machinery of a 
great exposition working and illumines the vast build- 
ings with a sudden burst of light. 

“ I think most of us believe that God can make 
even our wrath and disobedience redound to His 
praise, but how much better it would be for us if He 
could have our co-operation. 

“ How do we know that the assassin’s knife or 
bullet might not be intended by a merciful Providence 
to save some of us from going the cancerous or 
tubercular route? 

“ It is ours to obey regardless of consequences ! but 
alas my convictions are one thing and my life quite 
another ! ” and a deep gloom settled down upon her 
tod she said no more. 


n6 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Edah arose and went for a little play with her 
boy who had tired of his well-digging and was run- 
ning with Jack in and out among the large trees. 

As the quartette were slowly returning homeward, 
Mrs. Williams said, “ There is a little verse running 
in my mind that I want you to know, it is so sweet 
and comforting. I intend having it done in illumi- 
nated script along with another one or two which I 
am going to give you.” 

“ It is so good of you ,” murmured the girl, “ rest 
assured it will be appreciated.” 

“ The lines are these — 

“ Every day is a fresh beginning 
Listen my soul to the glad refrain — 

And spite of old sorrow, and older sinning 
And puzzles forcasted and possible pain, 

Take heart with the day and begin again.” 

“ Now if you have anything especially prized and 
dear to you I will be glad to have it done at the same 
time: they make nice soul pictures to hang on other 
than ‘ memory’s walls/ If these choice things are not 
convenient to the outward eye sometimes they get 
hidden or obscured amid the heart’s perplexities and 
grief’s.” 

“ Yes,” said Edah slowly, “ there is one I prize — 
I cannot tell you how much — it is this : 

u We can suffer, may even die, but we must do 
right!” and she told her friend the story of that little 
line fraught with so much meaning to her. 

As they came to the parting of the ways they paused 
a while as if loath to separate, while Robert and his 
dog ran on ahead the short distance home. 

“ Once again I tell you,” said the elder woman, 
“ I almost envy you, — you who are so free in every 
way to follow your own convictions.” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


ii 7 


Edah bowed her head while a warm wave of glad- 
ness flooded her being — “ this friend knew all and 
yet could envy her ! ” 

“ Do you know, my dear,” — clasping her hand in 
parting, “ I think it would be such a noble work for 
you to take some poor, motherless, friendless little 
orphan to raise up with your own dear boy. It 
would fill in and cheer your lonely life and be the 
best thing you could possibly do for Robert, not to 
mention the untold benefit to the homeless one. 

“If I could only make everyone see the great, — 
literally the crying — need of poor, forlorn, deserted 
little ones for mothers ! not for orphan asylums, but for 
mothers to love, cherish and train ! No woman is large 
enough to tuck fifty or one hundred little ones under 
the wings of her love — God never meant them to try — 
hence the limitations. 

“ But she can mother eight — ten — or a dozen — and 
think how far-reaching her example might be ! ” and 
her face glowed with absorbing earnestness. 

“No one can measure the influence of a single 
human life! If only the mothers of the land, whose 
children are grown and fled — who have large experi- 
ence — could see the immense good they might do 
both for themselves and humanity at large and these 
little waifs in particular, what wonderful things might 
not be accomplished ! 

“ But alas, alas ! ” sadly shaking her head, “ we are 
all of us bound hand and foot by conventions — 
traditions — economic conditions — ! ” 

She paused unable to proceed. When she again 
spoke she said, “ To-morrow is letter-day, and there 
are other things as well to keep me home, so good-bye, 
my dear, dear friend — may you find peace and comfort 
to your storm-tossed soul is my sincerest wish.” 

With a final pressure she relinquished the parting 
hand-clasp and bent her steps homeward, while Edah 
walked thoughtfully up the narrow little street. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


118 

New and strange thoughts came rolling and tum- 
bling through Edah’s brain as she sat in front of her 
open wood fire that night. 

“ Can it be true that he is really my lawful hus- 
band? Why was I not so taught from a child? Why 
does not everyone know?” 

And out of the quiet of the room she could almost 
hear the sound of a Voice — “ Behold I have hid these 
things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed 
them unto babes,’ — 

“ Sweet, simple, humble-minded people like her 
friend.” 

In the language made famous by another Edah said 
in spirit, “ almost thou persuadest me ! ” 

And her small clock ticked away the hours and the 
fire died out while she sat re-adjusting the unused and 
broken-down wireless mechanism of her soul to once 
again catch those lofty messages floating from on 
High, which of recent years had soared so far, far 
above her head. 

The darkness of her Egyptian night was ended and 
like the “ Watchman upon the walls of Zion ” she 
already discerned the signs of “ breaking day.” 

She arose and went into their sleeping-room and 
stood by Robert’s bed looking down with dewy eyes 
on that almost idolized form ; then kneeling beside 
him her heart went out in adoration and thankfulness 
for boy and friend and a strange sweet peace crept 
into her soul. 

Ever after she walked the sandy shore or trod the 
soft pine needles beneath the leafy trees, calm, fear- 
less, stately — once more looking the world in the face. 

The efifect of her confession had been as a life- 
giving tonic. Her cheeks took on the glow of health 
and her features rounded out — dispelling the hard 
look that was aging her and giving back her youth. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


119 


CHAPTER IX. 

The next morning being bright and sunny, mother 
and child went alone in the boat for a long row over 
the sparkling waters. 

She was beginning to try once again to lean on that 
Unseen Arm — and was trusting her darling to hold 
on by himself. 

After rowing about some time they landed at her 
usual place on the Island. Edah did not busy her- 
self with her work as usual, but lay on the clean 
warm sand, looking at the sky, the clouds, the water — 
not even thinking — mind, soul and body were enjoy- 
ing a long-craved rest. 

They had not been there long when the atmos- 
phere assumed a hazy appearance and soon a heavy 
fog set in. 

Edah was seized with consternation, and hastened 
her preparations to depart, feeling considerable trepi- 
dation over the prospect of rowing across the path of 
so many sea-craft in the gathering gloom. 

The trip was made in safety, however, but it was 
their last outing for several days. 

It rained hard and it rained easy, but it kept rain- 
in 0 ' 

Edah read the book her friend had loaned her — 
played with and amused Robert and worked indus- 
triously between times getting her own and Robert's 
things in order, for their future began to take definite 
shape in her mind. While it was only dim and hazy 
as yet, it was not chaotic. 


120 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


It being the last of February — when the sun shone 
and the wind was in a favorable quarter they did not 
even need extra wraps when walking — but as was 
usual after a spell of rainy weather it had cleared off 
cold. 

The first clear morning Edah opened the door in 
answer to a rap and there stood her friend. 

“ I just had to come and see you, and was afraid you 
would be gone out did I not come early, 1 ’ looking into 
the brown, expressive eyes which met her gaze with 
a new meaning in them. 

It was their first meeting since their memorable 
talk a week before. 

Robert was overjoyed, and Edah’s welcome left no 
room for boubt in her friend’s mind of its sincerity. 

“ Robert and I were not going out this morning, but 
you can probably guess where we would have gone the 
very first thing,” placing a rocker in front of the fire 
and helping her off with her things. 

“ I appear to have gotten into the sewing habit and 
don’t seem able to leave off,” laughing as she glanced 
at the confusion in the room; — sheets cut off ready 
for hemming and tablecloths and napkins in the same 
state of preparation. 

“ It certainly does look like business — lucky I came! 
I’m a good helper if you can provide the tools.” 

Edah put on Robert’s wraps and sent him into the 
yard to play with Jack and soon the two women were 
busily chatting and working. 

“ Did you read the book? ” 

“ I certainly did, and found it so good, so wonder- 
fully good ; I was going to say especially the first 
essay, but really one cannot make a choice.” 

“ I was sure you would enjoy it — I don’t see how it 
can fail to interest all ; — it is so simple and straight- 
forward and gets at the very root of things in the 
most direct way. I consider the author, Tolstoy, one 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


121 


of the great, monumental personages of this or any 
other century.’’ 

Gradually the talk drifted into a lighter vein and 
many topics were briefly touched upon and considered 
in a desultory way as women will when busy to- 
gether. 

“ I was interested and annoyed at the same time,” 
said the elder, “ over an incident which occurred in the 
car I came down in: two small boys, — there were 
three in the party — were sitting together and one on 
the arm of the seat. The boy next the window had 
seized the cap belonging to the outside chap and 
thrown it on the floor and had his foot on it ; the 
owner was fussing around, making considerable noise 
although good-naturedly, in his efforts to get it. 

“ Presently along came the conductor and gave the 
noisy boy’s hair a vicious pull, telling him in rough, 
brutal tones to ‘ make less noise and behave himself/ 

“ Now, the real culprit was the still chap who was 
imposing on the other; and I thought, how much like 
most of the punishment meted out in the world of 
grown-ups.” 

“ It was a mean thing,” said Edah, who was quick 
to resent an injustice, especially to a child. “ Just 
wait till women get the reins of government into their 
hands, and see how quickly unfairness will be done 
away with ! ” 

Her friend smiled — “ I’m skeptical about that.” 

“Why — aren’t you a believer in equal rights?” 

“ Well, I certainly do think with all my heart that 
‘ what is fair for one is fair for all ’ — and if the 
women really want suffrage, I suppose they should 
have it. 

“ However, I’m not one of those women who think 
they are so much wiser, better, and more capable than 
the men who have handled the political situation all 
these years — and all one has to do is to look about and 


122 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


see the mess they've made of things ! to me it is a hor- 
rible object lesson ! a warning to keep out ! ! 

“ Besides, I do not think for one moment that we 
can ever legislate righteousness into the world, it mat- 
ters not who tries. 

“ Not laws; she softly repeated, but virtue in the soul 
we need, 

The old Socratic justice in the heart, 

The golden rule becomes the people's creed 

When years of training have performd their part ; 

For thus alone in home and church and mart 

Can evil perish and the race be freed.” 

“ But,” she added, “ I dare say the main-spring of 
the agitation among women is their desire for eco- 
nomic freedom, which I think myself is the root of the 
matter, but one has only to look at the large majority 
of men, when it comes to actual numbers — who have 
all their lives voted and have they economic freedom? 
No! and I fear they never will have through the 
ballot.” 

“Tm afraid your outlook would seen hopeless, to 
the poor women agitators; but you must have some 
remedy in mind? ” 

“ I would let it work itself out in this way? 

“ See that the young are taught to be mindful of 
his or her own actions, only , leaving everyone else 
free to do the same, and in a generation or two, the 
people, not being educated — trained into a traditional 
habit of mind that knows only the continuance of 
present conditions, will be able to formulate some- 
thing far ahead of anything the world has ever seen 
or even dreamed of. 

“ Of course everyone brands the idea of such a 
method as suicidal — criminal — anarchic — but it is what 
I believe nevertheless.” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


123 

She paused and her hands fell idly in her lap while 
her eyes took on a far-away look. 

“ The whole matter of politics brings to my mind 
a picture like this; — Across a barren waste of sandy 
desert, a long line of weary pilgrims are traveling in the 
dust and heat. In the foreground a great concourse 
of famishing people are gathering about a well, the 
waters of which are bitter. One suggests throwing 
in this remedy, someone else that, another loosens his 
pack and looks for an herb that he is confident will 
sweeten and make palatable the Marah-like water: 
a third has still another remedy, and so the men keep 
on trying to neutralize the unpleasant taste by every 
means in their power. 

“ A little farther along on the other side of the 
road, under a canopied top, there bubbles up a spring 
of living water, cool and clear as crystal, on the curb- 
ing of which sits One like unto the Son of man. 

“Above His head on the front of the canopy roof 
might be read in large shining letters the Golden 
Rule. On one of the uprights are the words, ‘ Resist 
not Evil 9 and on another, ‘ Thou Shalt Love Thy 
Neighbor as Thyself/ 

“But, oh! so few see this free life-giving spring! 
It should have been discovered long since and I think 
the time not far distant when its waters will be freely 
drunk by all nations.” 

As she remained silent Edah asked — 

“ Do you think the world is growing better? 99 

“ Is it getting less selfish? If you can tell me that, 
you will be able to answer your own question : for it 
was selfishness that was the crying evil in the day 
of Christ, against which His teachings were mainly 
directed — and it still continues to be. 

“ But people have such a very fine way of reason- 
ing nowadays that the word selfishness has come to 
mean the same whether one desires to direct all his 


124 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


thoughts and energies upon self or upon others — 
although the results are as night to day. 

“ Self-less-ness is perhaps a better word to use. 

“ We have not been informed as to times and sea- 
sons, but one thing is evident — we are certainly two 
thousand years nearer ‘ that great and notable day of 
the Lord ’ than when Jesus walked and talked in 
Galilee.” 

She was silent a moment and her features took on 
a heaven-born look. 

“ A train is being laid by Religion, Science and 
Art that is to fire the charge that will blast the great 
rock which blocks the way to Paradise, and simple, 
child-like obedience to the great and shining Golden 
Rule is the spark that will ignite the whole. 

“ Then shall the mountains break forth into sing- 
ing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands 
and from the four corners of the earth will go up a 
mighty shout ‘ The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth.’ ” 

She ceased speaking and an expectant silence filled 
the room — as of a silence preceding the triumphant 
clashing of cymbals — the joyful burst of sounds pro- 
claiming that same, “ Great and Notable Day.” 

Mrs. Williams began folding up her work prepara- 
tory to leaving — 

“ Eve not accomplished very much ” — looking rather 
ruefully about her. 

“ More than you will ever know ! ” clasping the 
dear wrinkled hand. 

“ It is going to warm up in a day or two, so suppose 
we plan our talked-of trip to the west of town for 
the first pleasant day? ” 

“ By all means.” 

What both were thinking yet neither felt like say- 
ing was — “ that separation time was coming soon.” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


125 

After their late dinner Edah said, as she took down 
their sweaters, “ Come Robsy-Bobsy we’re going for 
a walk ! ” 

Robert looked up in wonder into his mother’s face 
— then began laughing at the new funny name, trying 
to say it after her. 

They walked back through the woods at a lively 
gait for the wind was chilly and penetrating — occasion- 
ally throwing pine cones for Jack to chase — or run- 
ning races in which the dog always came out ahead ; 
and when an hour later all returned they were in high 
spirits from their exercise and the fresh air. 

“ Or was it something besides the ozone that had 
gotten into Edah’s blood? ” she said to herself, “one 
swallow does not make a Spring ” but — “ there may 
be other swallows later if there is a season of depres- 
sion between.” 

“ It seemed too good to be true that she was so 
light-hearted and happy : ” She chided herself for 
the thought — “ I shan’t cross any more bridges until 
I come to them ! ” 

Two or three days later the little party alighted 
from the car at Hearts-ease Park with work-bags, 
bundles and all the paraphernalia for picnicing. 

There was really no special park there ; the place 
must have been named by someone who had found 
rest, peace and tranquillity among Nature’s quiet 
beauties and to show his or her appreciation had be- 
stowed the pleasant-sounding name. 

“ I never saw anyone grow like Robert,” said Mrs. 
Williams as the child ran on ahead of them. 

“ Yes,” replied his mother, “ I can almost notice 
it from day to day myself. I’ve just been returning 
some things I ordered from New York, with the re- 
quest for five-year-old sizes instead, and you know 
he won’t be four until July.” 


126 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Walking westward from the cluster of houses con- 
stituting the station, they came upon a knoll of high 
ground with fine old trees of oak, pine, magnolia, 
gum, bay and some magnificent dogwoods in full 
flower. 

“ How very beautiful ! ” exclaimed Edah — “ Like 
a great mound of snow ! I think we will camp right 
here in sight of this, the queen of them all.’ , 

So they arranged themselves accordingly after 
gathering a few branches to enjoy for a time at close 
range. 

When Robert slept his mother sat beside him, 
listening to the songs of the mocking-birds in the 
trees, announcing joyously that Spring was at hand; 
to the sound of the far-away lapping of the water on 
the sandy beach, and the rustling of the leaves over- 
head ; sounds which augmented the deep peace in her 
soul. 

Edah broke the long silence by asking softly, “ Do 
you remember saying you would tell me sometime 
of the change in your religious views?” 

“ Yes, — I remember, and if you like I will tell you 
something of it now.” 

She settled herself comfortably with her work : 

“ I was raised in an orthodox church and atmos- 
phere and for many years it was satisfying, and might 
be yet, for orthodoxy has all the religious teaching that 
anyone can have, or needs; the only trouble is most 
of the essentials have been shorn from the plain, 
direct and simple teachings of Christ. 

“ I do not know how it has come about, but St. 
Paul has been largely substituted in His place. Now, 
Paul is a great and good man and a powerful writer, 
yet — Pm going to wait for the light of eternity to 
shine on the pages, before reading him further. 

“If the church’s adherents, I among the number, 
had lived up to their high and lofty privileges which 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


127 


was their imperative duty as well, the great falling 
away which has taken place, would not have occurred 
— and all the new cults which are springing up every- 
where, would never have been born.” 

She thoughtfully paused. 

“ It is really a time of great distress,- when one finds 
his or her feet slipping oft the old foundation and not 
yet able to ‘ touch bottom/ — at least so it was with me. 

“ After months, — nay years — when I found at last 
safe anchorage I discovered I was not after all so 
very far from my starting point. I had emptied my 
faith receptacle and when it was refilled the contents 
were not so very different ; — my creed was only 
slightly changed. 

“ I still believe in God, the Creator of the Universe 
and Author of my being — in the Word made Flesh — 
and in the great Church Invisible where those belong 
who obey.” 

She sat so long a time silent looking out over the 
rippling water that her companion softly asked — - 

“Do you believe in evolution?” 

“ I am only an unlearned old woman, whose life 
has been spent with family cares and duties — giving 
little time for reading or investigation of any sort, 
till my beliefs were formulated — and as they are 
soul-satisfying to the last degree, Em not much inter- 
ested in the ‘ whence came we/ and ‘ whither are we 
going/ so much as the ‘ what are we here for ’ propo- 
sition. 

“ Everything may have come from an atom or 
protoplasm for aught I know% but the wonderful 
possibilities or potentialities of the same lead me to 
think of a Great Intelligent First Cause which we 
might as well call GOD. 

“ I remember being greatly distressed during this 
uncertain time I speak of — this time of doubt and 
depression — by some of the different ‘ cults ’ which 
passed in review before my perplexed soul. 


128 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ One day I sat turning the leaves of my bible — the 
pages fell apart and I began desultorily reading; the 
first thing my eyes lighted upon were the words,, 
‘ Can' st thou by searching find out God ? 9 

“ It spake to me with the reality of a Voice. I 
stopped searching then and there, — only with the eye 
of faith. 

“ I'm inclined to believe, as the bible says, that we 
are made in the image of God. As he is Triune — so 
are we — Intelligent, Affectionate and with a Will to 
act. Our bodies really may have been a long time in 
the process of evolution from an atom to a monkey. 
The ‘ how ’ or ‘ zvhy ’ of it really does not interest 
me now ; — that can be gone into on the ‘ other side 
Jordan's wave; ’ — but the 'what' to do with this little 
life is so important, so vital, that it crowds out all 
else. 

“ I never bother about death and the hereafter — 
that is God's end of the business — ours is the ‘ here ’ 
and ‘ now,’ which rightly considered is so vast, so 
momentous, so far-reaching as to fill our days. 

“ When my feet were once more planted on the 
Rock of Conviction I realized with grief and sorrow 
that my children were crystallized in the way of their 
early training and neither could my dear husband see 
things from my altered angle of vision. 

“ It was during those dark days I was called upon 
to give up a beloved child — and it was out of the 
clouds and storms of that tempestuous time that God 
spake to my soul. 

“ Life held a new and wondrous meaning. Hence- 
forward the Golden Rule of His revealing was to shine 
with a fresh and radiant luster. 

“ Then was born my great and absorbing desire to 
gather the little motherless children in my arms and 
to my heart; smooth from their pathway the brambles 
and briars where possible, and help them to bear it 
when not.” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


129 


She shook her head, “ but it never can be, and I 
am now in the sad miserable state of one living a life 
diametrically opposed to her convictions. 

“ Ere long I shall come a weary pilgrim, knocking 
at Heaven’s gate; a Voice, stern and reproachful shall 
ask, 4 heard’st thou not the cries of these my orphan 
children in their hunger, cold and distress ? ’ and I can 
only make reply, ‘ Lord thou knowest I have been so 
busy getting new gowns and doing fancy-work — taking 
care of hard-wood floors and playing Bridge ! 

“ And the sentence shall fall, ‘ Thine ears shall not 
be closed to those echoing cries throughout the long 
ages ! ’ ” and she clasped her head in her hands as if 
to shut out that awful sound. 

Impulsively Edah threw her arms about her friend 
and pressed her young cheek close to hers. 

“Oh, my dear, dear Mrs. Williams! you who do 
so much good in the world ! think what you have been 
to me ! if God is a God of Love you will surely hear 
those words of commendation — ‘ She hath done what 
she could.’ ” And their tears mingled together. 

After that both women sat silent — thinking the 
deep thoughts of God. 

Robert wakened crying because of a bad dream — 
a thing so very unusual. His mother soothed and 
cuddled him in her arms till he slept again ; — and once 
more all was still save the sounds of nature in that 
beautiful retreat. 

Edah, looking down with love-shining eyes upon the 
precious burden in her arms and noting his rhyth- 
mical breathing and healthful color added thank- 
fulness to her feelings of adoration. 

When he next roused up, full of life and merri- 
ment, they made ready to depart ; each heart, though 
in a different way, too full for speech. One with a 
dawning hope of a new life, the other sorrowful and 
despairing because of the tangled thicket from which 
she could not extricate herself. 


13 ° 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER X. 

Some little time after their day at Heart-ease Park 
the friends found themselves once again in their much- 
loved spot on the Point. 

Jack, the pet and plaything and source of much in- 
fantile delight, was missing; some heartless person 
had stolen him a few days before and no trace had 
been found, although Edah made diligent search. 

Robert was inconsolable for a time, but he was 
young and the forgetting did not take so long, al- 
though he used to surprise his mother by speaking of 
him at intervals long after. 

The friends had again been talking of matters edu- 
cational as they came along; a subject so very import- 
ant in the eyes of the elder woman. 

“ Not in respect to book learning,” she said, “ but 
in the matter of morals and right living. The teach- 
ing that is to elevate the human race in their ideas, 
aims and purposes — beginning of course with the 
young if anything effective is to be accomplished. 

“ There is,” she said, “ a branch of the child’s edu- 
cation that has been terribly neglected, or done all 
wrong, like so much else, and we are reaping a 
wretched harvest. 

“ He should early be taught to know himself as he 
is — to see things as they are! Untruthfulness and 
deception have never been productive of good. 

“ Evil, especially the social crime, flourishes — 
grows strong and waxes mighty in the dense, dank 
shade of secretiveness. 

“ Wth an impressive Sh-h-h ! ! and a finger on its 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


131 

lips the world has persistently worked into the hands 
of the foe and few of us are guiltless. 

“ We should have known at once that when the 
sentence of silence was pronounced by the world it 
was our imperative duty to look up and down — fore 
and aft and underneath the situation. 

“ We should never let the child be kept guessing. 

“ I really cannot say how much of the great social 
wrong of our time can be laid at the door of ignor- 
ance — but I am sure it must have to bear a large 
proportion of blame ! ” 

“ Oh,” sighed Edah, “ There is so very, very much 
that needs rectifying or regulating in this world of 
ours ! ” 

“ Yes; while we are advancing along some lines we 
are retrograding along others.” 

“ Well ” — with decision — “my mind is quite made 
up at last ! I shall take Robert somewhere into the 
country to raise up — near to Nature and Nature’s God 
— doing the best I can to keep him pure and honest ; — - 
teaching him to work with his hands as I expect to do 
and together we’ll help bear the burdens of the sor- 
rowing and distressed with whom our lot is cast, — as 
you have helped me ” — and she gave her friend a look 
of gratitude and love. 

“ It is a glorious work and I wish you God-speed — 
would I were going to be with you ! ” and her lip 
trembled. 

Edah could only clasp her friend’s two hands in 
her own and hold them fast — not trusting herself to 
speak. 

Presently, “ Did you say you must return early ? 
If so,” glancing at the time, “ I’ll have our lunch at 
once.” 

As her friend made ready to depart Edah said — 

“ The day is so fine and Robert is so happy here I 
think I will remain a while longer.” 


132 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Do so by all means, I’m only sorry I can’t be with 
you." 

Edah walked a short distance with her toward the 
car line — then busied herself with her work till Rob- 
ert wakened. 

After he had eaten and the lunch things been cleared 
away, hatless and coatless they played together on 
the beach and in the woods, hiding — running — laugh- 
ing as gay and lighthearted as two children could be. 

“Now, mothey’s tired; — besides she must get to 
work. You take your shovel and dig a well and 
mothey will come look at it when it’s done.” 

So he trudged off, his golden curls bobbing in the 
sun as he walked. 

Edah sat with her back against a large tree trunk 
and watched him : before he had finished his well, his 
eye caught sight of a brown squirrel running along on 
the ground. He gave chase and it ran up a live-oak 
tree, flirting its graceful red-brown tail, as much as to 
say, ‘ catch me if you can.” 

He stood absolutely motionless, looking up with 
head thrown back, watching for its reappearance. 

Edah gazed with adoring eyes, letting her work and 
hands fall into her lap and wishing she had not for- 
gotten her kodak. 

Presently she became conscious of a presence — not 
that she had heard anything — but she felt someone was 
near. With scarcely a motion of her head she turned 
her eyes and saw something which paralyzed her with 
fear. 

She could move neither hand nor foot — all power 
of action seemed gone. 

There stood James Maxwell! looking pale and ill 
with an expression on his face as near akin to fear as 
ever sat those resolute features. 

He was gazing fixedly at the motionless child. 

He had seen what he supposed was a vision, so like 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


*33 


was he to little Jamie, his sister's dead boy — and had 
been drawn step by step — silently — fascinated and 
charmed as a bird by the fatal snake — until the three 
made almost a right-angle triangle with the hypoth- 
enuse between mother and child. 

“ There 'ee is, mothey, I see 'ees tail ! ” 

At the first word the spell was broken and simul- 
taneously : 

“ Jamie ! ” 

“ Robert ! '' fell from their respective lips. 

The latter name was spoken so sharply the child 
looked around in wonder, almost ready to cry. See- 
ing a stranger he ran to his mother, who was now 
standing, and took her outstretched hand. 

At sound of Edah's exclamation James Maxwell 
turned and saw her for the first time. 

He removed his hat and advanced a step — “ Mrs. 
Brown — you here f ” 

Edah bowed her head slightly; — she was trembling 
so she could scarcely stand, but she held Robert's hand 
closely clasped in hers. 

Fie caught a fleeting glimpse of the fear approach- 
ing to terror in her lovely brown eyes ere their gaze 
was lowered to the ground where it remained during 
the rest of the interview. 

The picture she made as she stood tall and motion- 
less, with the sunlight filtering through the branches 
— flecking her tumbled hair of brown and gold — with 
her beautiful boy by her side remained to haunt James 
Maxwell long after. 

Simultaneously with his sight of her — as with a 
flash of lightning — his comprehension had received 

enlightenment He understood that the 

child both had been gazing upon, was her boy and his ! ! 

Deep and conflicting emotions filled his breast. 

Softened by the supposed vision of his dead nephew 
he spoke with much feeling — 


134 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Mrs. Brown/’ he repeated, “ I have a confession 
I wish to make — one that I had thought would die with 
me!” 

He paused a moment to frame suitable words for 
what he had to say — for he was laboring under great 
mental excitement — having come South to check a 
threatened nervous break-down. 

Edah stood pale and motionless, rooted to the spot. 

“ A friend and myself had been studying and ex- 
perimenting with hypnotism, and — and — you were the 
victim. 

“ You were under hypnotic influence that night!” 

She went a dusky red even to the roots of her hair 
which faded to paleness ’neath her sun-brown tan. 

“ If this tardy confession will relieve your feelings 
I am glad it is made. I have suffered — the devil 
knows — will probably continue to suffer, for that 
crime of my life.” 

Up to that time he had always thought himself very 
honorable and upright — fully as good as other men : 
until then he had bought in the open market, and 
paid the price asked in the coin of the realm — giving 
never a thought to the poor, wretched creatures, whom 
he and others of his kind have condemned to a mis- 
erable, degraded servitude, not to mention the enor- 
mous yearly sacrifice of life to the Moloch of man’s 
bestiality ! 

As he turned to leave — “ Robert ! ” — looking down 
at the child — “ I hope in the years to come you may be 
able to make up to your mother for some of the wrong 
and suffering imposed upon her by another." 

With a respectful bow — which Edah did not see — 
he walked away, with something less of the old, quick, 
decisive manner in his gait. 

When he was gone Edah sank to the ground — strain- 
ing her boy to her breast. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


135 

" He shan't have you, my darling ! My love ! my 
life ! ” she whispered fiercely. 

Robert began to cry, he did not know why, only 
that “ mothey ’’ was different ! 

It settled Edah at once — and with a great effort she 
was Robert's normal mother once more. 

Taking her handkerchief, “ Let mothey wipe the 
tears and then we will hurry home ; we will ride on the 
car and get there quick, quick ! ” 

Things were hastily put together and a brisk walk 
brought them to the car-line. 

Edah looked to see if he were waiting there, but no 
one was in sight. 

With a breath of thankfulness she put Robert on 
the car and took her seat beside him. 

When she reached home she wrote a note to her 
friend and despatched Susie with it while she sat 
down to the dinner-table — not to eat — but to wait on 
her boy. 

When the maid returned Edah looked inquiringly 
at her. 

“ Mis Williams said tell you she would come soon." 

When that lady arrived a little later she found Edah 
on her knees before a partly packed trunk, while all 
the drawers in the house were open and the bed piled 
full of things. 

“ Why, Edah, child, what are you doing ! what has 
happened ? ” looking about the room and noting her 
excited appearance. 

“ Oh, my dear Mrs. Williams something very 
terrible ! ” and she drew a low rocker to her side for 
her friend’s use 

“ Sit here close to me and I’ll tell you all about it — 
But where — where is Robert ! ” an expression of fear 
covering her face as she started to rise. At that mo- 
ment he came in from the other room carrying an arm- 
ful of things which he let fall at his mother’s feet. 


136 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Edah called Susie to lock the two outside doors and 
again seated herself — back up against the trunk and 
her hands clasping one knee. 

A bright red spot burned in either cheek and her 
eyes glowed with a deep luminous intensity. 

She began her story, speaking in a rapid, excited 
manner — 

“ Robert wakened not long after you left and had 
his lunch and we played together as usual, then I sat 
down with my work while he chased a squirrel ; — 
presently it ran up a tree and out of sight. 

“ He stood watching if possible to see where it had 
disappeared — What was that ! ” in a frightened whis- 
per, grasping her friend’s arm. 

“ I did not hear anything, dear.” 

In a terrified whisper — “ I think there is someone 
at the door ! ” 

Mrs. Williams went to both doors — “ No, there is 
no one,” and came and sat again wondering in a dis- 
tressed way what it could all mean. 

Edah continued her story — “ Robert stood there ab- 
solutely motionless, looking perfectly beautiful with 
his dear, curly head thrown back, and of course I sat 
admiring the picture and wishing for my kodak.” 

She paused a moment while a tender look of mem- 
ory crept over her features ; it was only fleeting and 
passed as she went on with her narrative. 

“ You know how one feels when either an animal 
or person comes unawares into your presence? Well, 
that feeling came over me so strongly that I felt quite 
nervous and frightened. I turned my eyes without 
moving my body and what — whom — do you suppose 
I saw? Him! he was looking pale and tense, almost 
with fear at the child. 

“ The sight simply paralyzed me ! I could neither 
move nor speak ! 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


137 

“ I really expected to see him spirit the child away 
before my very eyes ! 

“ His sister once told me he was very fond of 
children — especially of her little dead boy — and do 
you know I think he imagined he was gazing on the 
spirit form of little Jamie — for I’m sure he said 
‘ Jamie ’ as I called ‘ Robert/ after the child had first 
broken the spell.” 

When she finished her recital she was very much 
agitated. 

“ Now, I am going to take Robert away from here 
as soon as possible. Do you think you could stay all 
night with me? ” 

“ Of course I can and will. Let me speak to Susie 
before she leaves — she can take a note to Mr. Wil- 
liams — and I will help you with your packing if you 
still think best to go: but I don’t believe this man 
wants Robert.” 

“ I’m sure of it: I’m so uneasy I would never have 
a peaceful moment here — I wonder if I ever will 
again?” and she looked imploringly at her friend — 
but without waiting for a reply she went on ; — 

“ I can’t get ready to leave to-night ; but I must get 
off to-morrow.” 

“ But where, my dear; have you thought?” 

“ No ! I want you to help me think ; — I feel dazed,” 
and she brushed her hand across her eyes. 

“ I’ll be so glad to do that or anything else,” piling 
the plunder on the bed over to the back as she spoke ; — • 

“ Now you lie here just a few minutes while we 
talk.” 

She smoothed the dear child’s forehead and hair 
and gently patted the beloved hands; — soon from 
Edah’s closed eyes a tear or two trickled down. 

She buried her face in the pillow and when she 
could command her voice — “ He said I was hypnotized 
that — that awful night ! ” and she shuddered. “ Once 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


*38 

that would have given me infinite relief to know, but 
since you have said he is my husband, it does not 
matter so much.” 

“ Can you not see it, too, dear ? ” 

“ Yes — I — think I do — how could it be any other 
way ? ” but her mind soon reverted to the present and 
she fell to thinking of what lay before her. 

“ It is almost too early to risk taking Robert very 
far north yet — I had thought to spend two or three 
weeks at some small place in Alabama — then if you’ll 
give me the address of that town in Missouri we were 
speaking of the other day, I will go see it, anyway.” 

After Mrs. Williams had made Edah a cup of tea 
and piece of toast and had the satisfaction of seeing 
her eat it — the packing went on. 

But Edah allowed her friend — after promising to 
stay right with her until she left, — to talk her out of 
trying to get off the next day. 

Both were so busy they did not have time to feel 
the full force of the impending separation ; but when 
all was ready and the hack stood waiting at the door 
and the adieux were to be said it was a sad moment 
for both. 

Edah clasped her beloved friend in her arms — wink- 
ing back the tears — “ However can I go away from 
you ! you who have shown me the way of life — re- 
stored hope and opened again the flood-gates of 
love ! ” 

“ Of course you will miss me,” returning the em- 
brace, “ but I shall not be needed. You will always 
have God and yourself — and that combined with your 
busy life will be the beginning of Heaven on earth. 

“ It is I who am the great loser. You are going out 
into the beginning of a new life filled with the great 
purpose of living for Him ; while I remain with life 
so near ended — and no prospect of filling in the 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


139 

days with followed convictions — and with my soul’s 
counterpart gone ! ” 

Edah lifted her head and dried her eyes — she must 
turn comforter. 

“ Don’t you see I’m going to try and fulfill your 
dream of obedience and duty; — I’m to be your sub- 
stitute! Perhaps God saw it was better that way. 
May I be worthy,” she softly murmered. 

A last embrace and the parting was over. 


140 


THE STORY OF ED AH. 


CHAPTER XI. 

Peace Hill, Mo., May ist. 

Mr. M. A. Van Alan, 

Dear Uncle: 

This is from your repentant and sorrowful niece 
who has been apparently so long neglectful and un- 
mindful of you. 

But please believe, dear uncle, it has only seemed 
that way ; — for deep down in my heart I could never 
forget your loving kindness in the days that are gone, 
nor my appreciation of the same. 

I know you must have heard of the great blight 
that has spread over my life — or at least I used so to 
consider it — but now in a newer and higher outlook 
I can lift my head with never a feeling of shame — 
with even hope, joy and anticipation shining ahead. 

The Master has called and I hasten to obey. 

My life in its entirety I dedicate to Him. It is a 
life that perhaps could not be understood by many 
of my old-time friends — and will be spent among the 
humble and lowly of earth in doing what little I can 
to lessen their burdens and help them to see that there 
is joy in living. 

I am about to purchase the little house in which 
I am writing this, — where I am living with my bright 
and beautiful little son Robert. 

If you care to give me your advice in the matter I 
shall be glad. The money left me by my dear aunt 
will be used in its purchase. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


141 

I am very pleased with the outlook — and think the 
two hard-working Swedish people from whom I’m 
buying — only ten acres out of their farm — are honest, 
straightforward people who will continue to be my 
very near neighbors. 

Here in the midst of a beautiful farming country I 
hope to raise my boy to be a useful man — able to do 
his share in the work of the world — and from time to 
time will take into my heart and home other little ones 
who have no one to love and care for them. 

A dear, dear friend in Biloxi, where I went when 
my boy was so ill, reached out to me a helping hand 
and dispelled the mist and darkness that enveloped 
me in their gloom. 

“ May she never be disappointed in me,” is my 
fervent prayer; — and that you may come sometime 
to see me and give me your blessing is the sincere 
wish of, 

Your niece, 

Edah Brown. 

After the house, with its few acres, were her own 
she set about having the place remodeled a little — stay- 
ing in the meantime with Eric and Lena Johnson, her 
neighbors, two middled-aged Swedish people whose 
children were married and settled on distant farms. 

One thing Edah thought almost indispensable was 
a deep well with a wind-pump — for she must have 
water and a bath in her little home. 

She made a large living room with plenty of win- 
dows to the south and west — back of it was the roomy 
kitchen and still further back she had built a 
screened-in porch at one end and a summer kitchen at 
the other: the latter was used in winter as a sort of 
store-room. 

Across the entire side on the east was a long bed- 
room, with many windows — and a bath opening out 


142 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


near one end into both the kitchen and bed-room. 
This room was next the Johnsons’ and quite near. 

When Mrs. Johnson saw the size of their sleeping- 
room she wondered — but her curiosity was still greater 
when she saw three, small iron beds taken in, be- 
sides the larger one for Edah’s own use. 

Answering her look of surprise Edah laughingly 
explained , — “ These are for my orphan babies that 
I’m expecting. And now I’m going to ask Mr. John- 
son to look around and get me a good cow and teach 
me to milk, then I think I’ll be ready to live.” 

Ready to live she was — and she gave herself up to 
the joy of the simple routine of her life. 

It was not exactly methodical in the usual accepta- 
tion of the term. 

When she wakened in the morning she got up — and 
throwing wide her cottage door drank in the beauty 
of the broad acres on every side : now green with the 
growing grain, but which she knew would later be 
golden — then brown and afterwards spotlessly white 
— and her heart would sing the words when her voice 
did not — “ Lord in the morning will I lift up my 
voice.” 

After those few moments of adoration she made 
ready their simple morning meal. It was a part of 
her plan that Robert should, “ eat to live, and not live 
to eat.” Afterward there was dish-washing to be 
done and the house to make clean and orderly, Robert 
always helping. 

Her furniture had been bought with an eye to sim- 
plicity in the matter of keeping it cared for and their 
floors had been covered snugly with linoleum for the 
same reason. 

Mrs. Johnson had given her new neighbor lessons 
in the art of bread-making, butter-making, and in the 
proper method of doing laundry work — for Edah was 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


143 

determined not to be a burden longer on the already 
overworked ones of earth. 

“ But / 5 she said in grave concern, “ I suppose I’ll 
have to buy our shoes, stockings, hats, and — and — all 
the household furniture — and — and — garden tools ! 
Oh, dear! There seems no way out of the dismal 
labyrinth ! ” 

Edah had been thinking hard and fast the preced- 
ing weeks endeavoring to readjust her life at every 
point of contact and was amazed at the involved con- 
ditions which met her at every turn. 

Mrs. Johnson did not fully understand, only shook 
her head — “ Me and my old man we don’t never worry 
’bout any such tang.” 

So the doubts and perplexities which assailed her 
at every turn, she locked up in a far corner of her 
soul, so they might not interfere with present duties, 
until such a time when they should be made clear. 

In this connection she loved to dwell upon one of 
the soul-pictures sent her by her dear friend, Mrs. 
Williams, soon after she was settled in her new home. 

“ Plain human speech, some simple law of life, 

A little tillage, household arts a few, 

The law of rectitude o’ercoming strife — 

Things clean and sane, the simple and the true.” 

She loved to dwell upon the words — they were rest- 
ful and added to her feelings of tranquillity and con- 
tentment. 

They were all comforting — those soul pictures ; — 
and she arranged and hung them on the north wall of 
their living room — above the table where she sat and 
sewed — all but one, “ The Prayer,” which she hung 
over Robert’s little bed, and which was the second 
thing her eyes rested upon in waking — Robert was the 
first. 

Her friend had told her it was born amid the sor- 


144 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


rows and troubles of a great grief — yet there was 
nothing of heart-ache in it; and Edah read the beauti- 
ful words — 

“ Oh! Thou, Who art from everlasting to everlast- 
ing, the same yesterday, to-day and forever — Infinite, 
Eternal and Unchangable in all Thy attributes of 
Holiness, Wisdom, Justice, Goodness and Truth, — 
accept the adoration of our hearts ! ” 

“ Open Thou our lips, and our mouths shall show 
forth Thy praise.” 

“ Oh! that men would praise Thee for Thy good- 
ness and for Thy wonderful works to the children of 
men ! ” 

“ Thou stretchest the North out over the empty 
space and hangeth the earth upon nothing. Thou 
didst measure the waters in the hollow of Thy hand — 
and mete out Heaven with a span — and comprehend 
the dust of the Earth in a measure and weigh the 
mountains in scales and the hills in the balance.” 

“ O Lord ! Thou hast done wonderful things ! Thy 
Counsels of old are Faithfulness and Truth.” 

“ Thou hast been a strength to the poor ; a strength 
to the needy in his distress, a Refuge from the storm 
and a Shadow from the heat.” 

“ Oh ! that men would praise Thee for Thy Good- 
ness and for Thy wonderful works to the children of 
men ! ” 

“ What is man that Thou art mindful of him or the 
son of man that Thou visitest him? ” 

“ Thou didst so love the world that Thou gavest 
Thine Only Begotten Son that whosoever believeth in 
Him might not perish but have everlasting life.” 

“ And now unto Thee the King, Eternal, Immortal 
and Invisible, the only Wise God — be Blessing and 
Honor and Glory and Dominion both now and for- 
evermore. Amen.” 

The tears welled up in her eyes as she finished read- 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


145 


ing — for the sweet beauties of the quotations and be- 
cause her friend had once told her, “ She loved to tell 
God how Great and Good He is.” 

Their little neighborhood was composed of six or 
eight houses clustered together in the vicinity of the 
intersection of two roads. 

When Edah first moved there one of the smaller 
houses was occupied by a painter, his wife and baby. 
He was one of the men at work on her little home, 
and she soon became quite well acquainted with the 
family. 

During a spell of damp, changeable weather the 
baby was taken sick and Edah helped the young 
mother nurse him and often after he recovered, would 
keep him for hours at a time — relieving the mother 
who had expectations of another in the near future. 

Edah had promised to be with her when the time 
came, but a few days before the expected event Dan 
came for her in the middle of the night. He was very 
much alarmed about his wife and hastened on to the 
one telephone in the neighborhood to summon the 
doctor. 

Edah carried her sleeping boy into Mrs. Johnson’s 
and ran back in the opposite direction a quarter of a 
mile to Dan’s home. 

She found the poor woman desperately ill, with their 
nearest neighbor pale and frightened looking helplessly 
on. 

Edah took charge with a confidence born of exper- 
ience and training and soon had an efficient helper in 
the woman who was incompetent to take the lead. 

The doctor, with his two assistants, did all in his 
power, but Edah’s practiced eye discerned the inevi- 
table. She knew that Death only waited in the ante- 
chamber — having already set his cold, gray seal on 
those suffering features. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


146 

After the little girl-baby was born there was a sea- 
son of hope but that soon passed away. 

The dying woman fixed her eyes upon Edah with an 
intense, imploring look which followed her every 
move. The latter bent her ear low, but no sound 
came from those silent lips. 

“ Did you want to ask me to take your baby? ” — 
tenderly — 

A look of assent and resigned peacefulness took the 
place of the almost agonized entreaty as Edah whis- 
pered in the dulled ears, “ I will keep her and love 
her as my very own.” 

“ Dan ! ” turning to the husband who sat on a chair 
at the foot of the bed — face buried in his hands — 
“ Millie wants me to keep her baby; — is it all right? ” 

Dan came and knelt by his wife’s side and promised 
it should be as she wished. 

Soon after she knew no more of earth’s pain and 
sorrow and ere long had fallen into the 
“ Long and dreamless sleep, 

From which none ever wake to weep.” 

Among the humble and lowly the kind hands of 
friends and neighbors still performed the last, sad 
offices incumbent at such a time and so it was here. 

When all was over, at Dan’s request, Edah took 
Danny as well as the baby to her own little home. 

Somehow she had never thought of her orphans 
coming in that way. 

Since she had been settled she had been planning to 
go into the city soon and select one from the asylum; 
and her mind was quite made up that she would take 
the most forlorn and unattractive baby in the whole 
institution — one that no one else wanted. 

But this was evidently what the Lord intended for 
her to do at the present time. 

The addition of two babies at once, thickened up the 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 147 

work not a little at “ Castle Industrie ” as Edah loved 
to think of her home. 

But if she was busy she was also happy. 

She had begun to learn the meaning of life — ser- 
vice to others — and it filled her with tranquil peace 
and joy. 

She simply lived and loved and worked the days 
away. 

The baby was called Mildred for its mother — Dan 
called her Millie as he had her mother — but Edah 
always pronounced the full name. The two-year-old 
boy was Danny. 

Beauty’s milk agreed with the baby and she never 
stopped growing. 

Dan gave up the little rented house where his wife 
died and went to live in the village, but always on 
Sunday he came to see his children and occasionally 
on stormy days during the week also. 

He loved to watch Edah as she went about her work 
or attended the wants and needs of the children. 
Quietly, gently and apparently without effort, it all 
seemed to be accomplished. 

She felt very sorry for him in his grief and loneli- 
ness — losing wife and home and being separated from 
his boy of whom he was very fond. 

But things began to get dull in his line in the vil- 
lage and he got work in the adjacent city and the 
visits grew farther apart — often weeks intervening. 

Ever since Edah had moved into her little home, if 
the weather was fine on Sunday — ki Glory Day ” as she 
had come to call it — she would take Robert by the 
hand and together they would wander to the top of 
the hill a half-mile distant to the village burying- 
ground. There she communed with God and taught 
her boy of Him. 

It was not so easy of accomplishment now — still — 
often Mrs. Johnson would see Edah wheeling the 


1 48 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


infant’s go-cart, accompanied by the other two chil- 
dren, slowly wending their way up the hill, measuring 
their pace to suit little Danny’s short legs. 

Some time in June Edah learned through her neigh- 
bors that a wealthy farmer was building a large house 
about a mile beyond them towards the south. 

She had noticed materials being hauled and work- 
men driving by morning and evening. 

She had also observed a tall, well-built athletic fel- 
low who often walked one way or other, sometimes 
both — usually with bared head, cap under his arm and 
hands in his pockets, his dark crimson four-in-hand 
gaily fluttering in the breeze or one end soberly de- 
pending in true orthodox style from his collar, while 
the other rested carelessly on one shoulder — whis- 
tling as he went and gazing about over the fields or on 
the far-distant landscape. 

Robert’s home was not on the main traveled road, 
so he often went into the Johnson’s yard — indeed he 
was quite as much at home there as in their own — and 
climbed up on the side gate to get a better view of the 
passing vehicles. 

Edah had not fully recovered from her terrible 
fright in Biloxi, so Robert was not allowed very far 
out of her sight; but she knew both Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnson understood and respected her feelings in the 
matter — besides they had come to have a great deal 
of personal interest in the lovable boy and were very 
watchful of him when on their side of the yard. 

One lovely warm evening as he was perched on his 
favorite outlook, the tall young man stopped and 
talked to him. He evidently knew what to sav to a 
small boy, for that individual, after watching him till 
the hill hid him from view, climbed down and hastened 
to tell his mother all about it, winding up with, 
“ What’s his name, mothey?” 

Edah had seen him also, as he came down the other 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


149 


road — from her position on the steps of her little front 
porch where she was sitting with Mildred on her lap. 

She could not help thinking of her favorite “ Adam 
Bede/’ when she noted the stranger’s dark, tumbled 
hair, “ so like trampled grass.” 

Without really thinking what she was saying, in 
answer to Robert’s question she absently replied 
“ Adam.” 

A faint pink crept into her cheeks when she realized 
what she had done — but she thought better to let it 
stand than make any explanations — “ besides,” she 
smiled softly to herself, “ perhaps his name is Adam! ” 

“ Now, Robert, dear, come put your cheek up close, 
close to mothey’s — love her tight around the neck — 
now go see what Danny is doing and bring him into 
the house with you, for supper will soon be ready. 
Remember to be very gentle with him, he’s such a 
little fellow.” 

Before leaving on his errand he stooped and kissed 
baby Mildred’s little cheek. 

Edah had noted a rapid development in Robert since 
the advent of the two little ones. He was tremend- 
ously interested in both at first and became very fond 
of baby Mildred, but Danny in a way interfered — came 
in for a share of the attention which he considered be- 
longed exclusively to himself. 

His mother saw and understood the situation and 
was glad things were just as they were for his sake. 

She carefully went about trying to give him a re- 
sponsible feeling toward the small boy ; — cultivated the 
protective instinct which was naturally strong within 
him. It had made him seem much older in this short 
while, but she knew it was not a bad thing and would 
work out for his good. 

Her daily prayer to God was, “ Help me to direct, 
but let me not stand in the way of his development 
along the line of his own nature.” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


150 


CHAPTER XII. 

July had started in warm and sultry and seemed 
gradually to increase in temperature as the month ad- 
vanced. Everything was dry ; — plants and the growing 
grain, as well as the parched ground, cried out for 
rain. 

Edah had looked out in the early morning at her ger- 
aniums — even at that hour they looked dusty and de- 
jected. She had meant to water them, but Mildred had 
been so fretful and difficult to put to sleep the night 
before, she had forgotten all about the flowers. 

The children had not slept well so of course her rest 
was broken. 

She glanced at the heavens hoping to see some signs 
of rain — but the sky was like burnished brass. 

After giving the thirsty plants a drink she made 
haste to get done what work was necessary while the 
children still slept, and before the fierce heat of yester- 
day was again upon them. 

After breakfast Mrs. Johnson came in ; Mildred was 
having her morning bath and crying lustily at the top 
of her might. Danny was contributing his share to 
the vocal harmonies and Robert was trying to be heard- 

“ Did you hear the free opera? ” said Edah, as her 
visitor came near enough for her to be heard. “ It’s 
so warm, I feel a little like joining the chorus myself,” 
and she fastened the last button of the baby’s thin 
wrapper — an old one of Robert’s — and handed her to 
Mrs. Johnson. 

“ If you’ll hold her a few minutes while I get her 


THE STORY OF ED AH. 15 1 

bottle ready, I think we will have it a little more quiet 
for a while.’’ 

Edah’s prognostications were correct; — Mildred’s 
outlook on life was more tranquil and serene after get- 
ting her morning meal. 

Mrs. Johnson helped Edah get things in “ ship- 
shape ” for the day. She had a way of “ happening 
in ” when things seemed thickest — when Edah was at 
her wit’s end, scarcely knowing which way to turn 
first. 

A few minutes of her valuable assistance at the 
psychological moment would help clear the atmosphere 
for the whole day. 

She said when leaving, “ me and my old man are go- 
ing to spend the day with Hilda,” referring to their 
nearest married daughter, “ and I tank it be late before 
we come home. Here is the back-door key.” 

“ All right ; I imagine you will find it pleasanter 
coming home in the cool of the evening if it keeps up 
like this,” pushing the damp hair back from her fore- 
head. “ Hope you'll have a pleasant day. I’ll feed the 
chickens and look after things. Do you think Mr. 
Johnson would quarrel with me if I should milk his 
cow ? ” 

“ No, he say leave both cow till he get home.” 

“ I feel ashamed to let him milk Beauty for me so 
often ; — it is surely kind of him, though. 

“ I wish you would have a look at my bread before 
you go,” leading the way into the kitchen — “ some- 
thing is wrong with it.” 

She opened the door of her gasoline oven remark- 
ing, “ it looks as if something had stepped on it, — 
whatever do you suppose is the matter? it was not a 
bit light when I put it in to bake but I thought it would 
pop up like yours always does when it got hot.” 

“ I tank it ban too cold,” at the same time casting 
about in her mind for some other reason more in ac- 


152 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


cord with the state of the weather. Presently her eye 
lighted upon a covered cup on the kitchen shelf partly 
hidden by the salt jar; she glanced at its contents and 
held it before Edah’s astonished eyes. 

“ I see ! — I forgot to put in the yeast ! ” and her 
spontaneous, gurgling laughter rang out. “ I remem- 
ber now, Mildred cried and I threw the cover over the 
crock and went to her then forgot to come back.” 

A half hour later Edah saw the pair drive off, and 
she felt a little lonely — she could not tell why. 

A hot day and three fussy children with broken rest 
added, will sometimes put one into an abnormal state. 

She took the two older children into the yard under 
a large maple tree, while Mildred slept, and kept them 
amused in its grateful shade till they, too, showed 
signs of drowsiness. 

When the last one, Robert, was disposed of she 
made preparations to improve the golden opportunity 
by taking a nap herself. 

As she went to fasten the front-door screen she saw 
a wagon standing opposite her neighbor’s gate and two 
men supporting a third, just entering the yard. 

She stepped out and told them there was no one at 
home, adding, “ can I do anything? ” 

As she spoke she understood that one of the work- 
men had been overcome by the excessive heat — and a 
second glance told her that scarlet, swollen-looking 
face belonged to no other than “ Adam,” whose hair 
looked more than ever like “ trampled grass.” 

She led the way into her own home and made 
ready the roomy, comfortable, spring-box lounge and 
hastened to fill a towel with cracked ice for the throbb- 
ing head. 

“ Hadn’t we better call the doctor? ” asked one of 
the men of Edah. 

“ He looks some better already, and it may not be 
necessary — but do as you think best,” in a low tone. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 153 

The sick man opened his eyes — “ never mind the 
doctor — I’ll soon be all right.” 

Fresh relays of cracked ice were kept up all after- 
noon by one of the men — the other having returned 
to work. 

Edah helped when necessary, but the dinner was to 
be made ready — and the children kept out in the back 
yard so as not to disturb the sick man. 

As the afternoon wore away big black clouds began 
to pile up in the west, giving promise that at last the 
panting community was to have relief. 

Edah ran into her neighbor’s and saw that all was 
made ready for the impending storm which broke in 
tremendous earnest about six o’clock. Great gusts 
of wind blew the stifling heat to parts unknown, and 
the drenching rain which followed came to cheer and 
to bless. 

Edah stood in her door looking out over the mead- 
ows and grain fields rejoicing in the down-pour, with 
Robert and Danny clinging to her skirts. 

She drank in the welcome sight with almost as much 
avidity as did the parched earth and dusty plants, the 
rain, at the same time mildly wondering how the cows 
were to be milked, for she feared her neighbors would 
not be able to return home. 

It was as she thought. The storm continued till 
it was too late for them to drive the long distance home 
that night, but the cows were milked in the dry barn 
by Jack Moore, the sick man’s companion, who would 
have been delighted to milk a whole dairy herd, for the 
smiling “ thank you ” he received when his services 
were offered and at their close. 

Because of “ Adam,” Danny did not get his nightly 
bath — for very often it was accomplished amid loud 
wailings — but all were taken to the tenantless, neigh- 
boring house for the night, while their own little home 
was given over to the strangers. 


154 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Before Edah slept, — through the open windows 
came sounds as of some great animal floundering in 
the water, and she understood her tenants were im- 
proving the opportunity presented by the inviting 
bathroom. 

It was just the kind of night calculated to make one 
sleep and forget there had ever been sultry, scorch- 
ing, intolerable weather; and baby Mildred made up 
for lost time and the restlessness of the past few days. 

The sick man wakened early, without any pain, 
after a night’s refreshing sleep. 

He wandered about the house, looking almost with 
awe and reverence at the belongings of this unusual 
woman — stopping in front of Edah’s soul pictures, 
reading them each in turn, beginning with the small 
topmost one — 

“ Let my memory perish, only that humanity may 
be free.” 

The frames of the two immediately below touched 
ends beneath the center of the one above. 

“ Iron-clad rules for self and boundless charity for 
others.” 

" What is fair for one is fair for all.” 

He turned away with hands in pockets and head 
bowed and softly walked back and forth across the 
room, his usually calm and staid feelings running mad 
riot. 

Stopping at the open door he stood looking out over 
Edah’s beloved view till the tumult within had par- 
tially subsided then turned and resumed his inspec- 
tion. 

The large center one about which the others were 
clustered was entitled “ A tribute ” and he wondered 
about it as he began reading. 

“ A long time ago in the far-away past, there was 
builded a magnificent cathedral. 

“ Its walls were made of such enduring material 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


155 


that though the storms of the ages beat against it and 
the centuries settled down upon it, still it remained 
ineffaced — stately and majestic as in the beginning. 

“ Not far from this ancient structure there once 
dwelt a great painter, whose whole life was spent in 
perfecting his one masterpiece, which in dying he be- 
queathed to his friends. 

“ This wonderful picture had some peculiar char- 
acteristics or properties. For instance, in the dusk 
and through the darker hours of night a soft glow 
overspread its surface, bringing out every detail as in 
the bright light of day. 

“ It also possessed the strange and wonderful power 
of bringing peace to all beholders. 

“ To preserve this priceless gift to all generations 
the loving friends, with reverent, careful hands, carried 
their new possession to the neighboring cathedral and 
hung it high out of harm’s way in the perpetual twi- 
light of the shadowy roof to charm and comfort the 
many pilgrims who sought relief from the griefs and 
sorrows of their earthly wanderings. 

“ Year after year the suffering, down-trodden and 
oppressed crowded through the great portal and adown 
the long aisle gazing with longing, expectant eyes on 
the picture that never failed. 

“ The great stone steps were worn thin with the 
weary feet of pilgrims that surged and thronged as 
the years went by. 

“ But at last there came a change ; — the dispersing 
multitude glanced askance at one another under veiled 
eyes — wondering did others find the peace that was 
denied them? 

“ One among the vast throng, noting the disastrous 
change, determined to find out the cause. 

“ Alone he scaled the lofty height and with tender 
loving hands wiped off the accummulated dust and 
cobwebs of the ages and hung the restored picture 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


156 

‘ on line ’ near the great open door, in splendid light 
and full view of all who entered. 

“ But passing strange! 

“ With unfailing regularity the pilgrims, whose 
numbers were augmented with the years, passed 
through the great doors and adown the long aisle — see- 
ing not the restored picture — but with eyes fixed on 
the place where it once hung they paused with bowed 
heads and genuflections, and passed on to make way 
for others, missing the aim and object of their jour- 
ney and returning as they had come, weary, discour- 
aged and unhappy to continue their toilsome journey 
through life.” 

The reader was perplexed as to the meaning till he 
noticed on the shelf below the “ Life of Tolstoy ” and 
two volumes of his Essays and Letters ; then he under- 
stood the “ tribute ” was paid to that great and good 
man. 

On one side of the large central piece he read — 

“If there's no sun, I still can have the moon, 

If there’s no moon, the stars my needs suffice 

And if they fail, I have my evening lamp 

Or lampless there’s my trusty tallow dip 

And if the dip goes out — my couch remains 

Where I may sleep and dream there’s light again.” 

Underneath, a small frame enclosed the words which 
had saved Robert’s unborn life. 

“We can suffer — may even die — but we must do 
right! ” 

Something new and strange was pulsing through 
his being; — he seemed lifted up and carried away out 
and beyond himself. 

The high exalted sentiments got into his soul — and 
a feeling of stricture caught at his throat and some- 
thing suspiciously like tears stood for a moment in 
his expressive gray eyes. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 157 

He turned and looked at the remaining two or three 
on the other side — 

“ I expect to pass through this life but once ; if there 
is any good thing I can do or any kindness I can show 
to any fellow creature, let me do it now ; let me not 
defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way 
again.” 

Below were the words — 

“ Every day is a fresh beginning.” 

“ Listen—” 

At that juncture he was interrupted by Jack Moore 
who had just come in from milking. 

“ I say, Phil, old boy, did you ever in your life ! I 
never saw a place like it; — it's different and yet it 
isn’t ! she’s a ‘ hummer ’ and no mistake ! ” 

In cold, cutting tones, “ I’d advise you to tone down 
your remarks somewhat unless you want the lady her- 
self to hear.” 

“ No harm intended : ” rather meekly — “ how do 
you feel ? ” 

“ Oh,” good-naturedly, “ I’m all right; but I’m go- 
ing to knock off to-day — and to-morrow being Sun- 
day I think the two days’ rest will fix me up good as 
new. 

“ That was a close call to a real prostration if not 
a nasty fall ” and he turned to meet Edah, who en- 
tered at that moment with her small brigade. 

“ Good-morning,” smiling, “ I’m glad to see you are 
feeling better.” 

“ Mrs. Brown, this is my friend, Philip Dempster,” 
said Jack Moore. 

As the two bowed again and before the erstwhile 
patient could speak Robert said, looking up in his face, 
“ mothey said your name was Adam.” 

Unlucky Edah let her self-conscious eyes fall on 
the infant in her arms, but laughed as she said by way 
of explanation, “ you reminded me of a friend by that 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


158 
* 

name/’ — mentally resolving at whatsoever time and 
trouble, to explain any misunderstanding Robert might 
have in the future. 

The young man was even more embarrassed and 
looked down at Robert — “ Philip, is my name, but you 
may call me Adam if it is easier.” 

As might be supposed, Edah was known by hear- 
say and reputation throughout the village and country- 
side — especially since taking Dan’s two children. The 
deed spoke for itself and Dan was never tired of sing- 
ing her praises. So she was not a stranger to these 
two men, in a way; but there was a certain aloofness, 
which was a part of her nature, that kept people at a 
distance, only those to whom she held out the “ golden 
scepter ” of her acquiescence. 

Edah deposited the small infant in her go-cart and 
turned toward the kitchen. 

“ Mrs. Brown ” — Philip was trying to find suitable 
words of gratitude — “ I cannot express to you how 
much I appreciate your kindness and — and — attention. 
If you will state what you think an — an adequate re- 
muneration, I’ll be more than pleased,” he stammered, 
his hand in his pocket. 

Jack Moore mentally whistled and said to himself, 
“ he’s struck hard! ” knowing him to be a quiet, self- 
contained fellow who cared very much more for his 
socialistic propaganda than for women. 

“ Never mind about it,” said Edah, “ it was very 
little — besides it is a part of my business in life to be 
helpful when I can ; I have come to think that service 
to our fellow-travelers is our only way of being able 
to show our gratitude to our Maker. I like to think 
of my little home as a life-saving station and I, the 
keeper, in the employ of the Government on High,” 
looking through the open door to the clean, dark green 
of the fields shining in the morning sun. “ But ” — 
noticing their intended leave-taking — “ I’m not going 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


159 


to let you leave until after breakfast — that would be 
sorry hospitality/’ and she hastened its preparation. 

She borrowed some coffee from Mrs. Johnson’s 
pantry, as it was a commodity not used by herself or 
Robert and all sat down to a pleasant meal together, 
which to Edah was truly delightful. She had not be- 
fore realized how much she needed congenial compan- 
ionship. “ Jack Moore was a kind, good-natured sort 
of fellow, but there were depths to ‘ Adam ’ she felt 
sure ; — he looked like a man who thought.” 

After breakfast her two guests departed leaving her 
alone to her daily tasks, and to memories of a pair 
of gray eyes heavily fringed with long black lashes, 
the pupils of which had a way of growing large quite 
unexpectedly — making them look more like gray- 
rimmed black ones instead. 

She had forgotten to ask them to call again and was 
sorry. Her life was lonely in a way — ■“ it would be so 
nice to have friends to whom she could talk, who could 
enter in, sympathize and understand and somehow she 
felt * Adam ’ could.” 

The romantic side of her nature was left unpro- 
tected as well as the intellectual unsatisfied. Her hus- 
band could have shielded her in the one case, and may 
have helped in the other — at least an arrangement 
could have been made on a less dangerous basis. 

So the confusion and wrong reach out in an ever- 
widening circle where either are unfaithful to the 
marriage tie. 


i6o 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

In the days that followed, Philip Dempster became 
a frequent visitor to the little home. It would be diffi- 
cult to tell who found the most pleasure in those visits, 
Edah, Robert, or the young man himself. 

Robert was given a new set of tools and taught to 
use them by Phillip who also made a work-room for 
him in one corner of the wood and coal house. Mrs. 
Johnson looked on in quiet approval, although ap- 
parently seeing nothing. 

Not a great while after their acquaintance began — 
he came one warm evening and found the lady of the 
house sitting on her little porch, looking so cool and 
fresh in her simple, white, dutch-necked and elbow- 
sleeved dress. 

She arose with an extended hand of welcome — “ Pm 
glad you’ve come,” she said simply but with evident 
sincerity. 

“ It is so delightfully cool here it doesn’t seem possi- 
ble the temperature has been out of bounds in this 
vicinity,” — Phillip said as he seated himself by her 
side. 

“ Well,” laughing, “ it has, and what is more the 
children’s tempers arose with the mercury. Each in- 
dividual child seemed multiplied by two — four — I 
don’t really know how many ! ” 

With a humorous look in his gray-black eyes, “ I’ll 
wager you put in a call for Brown the Spanker! ” 

Edah laughed heartily — “ he’s a factotum of whom 
I’d not heard; — but it looked for a time as if Mrs . 
Brown might have to serve in that capacity. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


161 


“ I had to hold my hands tight on several occasions 
— but it finally worked out without anything so direful 
happening.’' 

He looked at the usually busy hands now folded 
quietly in her lap with an expression m his eyes often 
to be found there when she was not observing, and 
wished he might be appointed proxy the next time 
Aose hands had to be held: but he only said with an 
amused smile — 

“ Well, as you did not send for the public regulator, 
will you kindly tell me how you handled the situa- 
tion? ” 

“ I simply went off and left it, which was easy 
enough, wasn’t it? ” looking demurely into his face. 

“ I asked the sainted Lena to look after the boys, 
and while Mildred was sleeping I slipped over to the 
cemetery. I was no sooner seated than its blessed in- 
fluence stole over me. 

4 4 I do feel so very sorry for my poor, overworked 
listers, wherever they may be, who have no comfort- 
mg graveyard with wondrous sights all around and 
no good neighbor like mine to come to the rescue for 
half an hour. 

“ Truly I have much to be thankful for ! 

“ When I returned I was calm and serene myself 
And so was everyone else. You see the little separation 
gave each a chance to recover tone. It is a method of 
procedure I often resort to and it works wonders in 
many ways. 

“ The majestic calmness and quiet of that retreat, 
besides tranquilizing my spirit for the time, has come 
to be so restful that I contemplate the long, dreamless 
©leep with feelings of anticipation, almost. 

“ Not with a morbid longing,” noting his peculiar 
expression of disapproval, “ but with a readiness to 
answer the summons whensoever it comes.” 

He hastened to turn the conversation into channels 
less gruesome and disquieting. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


162 

There were plenty of women who would have en- 
joyed any attentions from Philip Dempster: but as 
his friends all knew he had carefully and deliberately 
shunned them. 

He had his ideal of womankind, but the women he 
had met heretofore had fallen so far below as to be 
quite uninteresting to him. The whole force of his 
nature found an outlet in his propaganda work. 

To his mind socialism was the panacea for all the 
wrongs of the world, for which he felt so much sym- 
pathy. He was quite sure there would be no down- 
trodden and oppressed when his beloved socialistic 
ideas were once put into practice. 

This woman’s subtle attraction for himself he had 
fought against in the beginning — arguing it out pro 
and con when he should have been sleeping — but 
finally acknowledged himself a fool not to seize a 
prize if he could, especially as the more he knew Edah 
the more he became aware that in her he realized his 
feminine ideal. 

So he determined to woo and win this noble woman 
if he could ; while he early realized the mainspring of 
her actions was conscientious convictions of right and 
duty — which he called religion — his beloved socialism 
would not be antagonistic, he felt sure, once she 
understood, besides — he had to acknowledge to him- 
self that he was clearly, plainly, hopelessly in love. 

“ Did you bring the book as you promised? ” after 
a silence between them where each one had been 
watching the fire-flies and listening to the voices of the 
night. 

“ It is so pleasant outside, we can begin it another 
time,” he suggested — almost urged. 

“ It is lovely but my mending basket looks so 
formidable I shall hate to touch it if I leave it much 
longer, besides,” adding gaily, “ this is Saturday 
night and I do not mend on Sunday you know ! ” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


163 


He seated himself by the lamp and drew the first 
volume of the life of Karl Marx from his pocket 
while she attacked the mound on top of her work- 
basket. 

As he became absorbed in his theme, from time to 
time, the long, supple fingers of his left hand uncon- 
sciously buried themselves in the fine, soft, thick, dark 
hair on the top of his head. 

Edah was amused at the absorbed reader and did 
not wonder that his hair often wore the appearance of 
“ trampled grass.” 

The evening sped away altogether too quickly and 
nine-thirty — Edah’s time limit, was already overpassed 
before either realized it. 

“ Do you like it? ” he asked as he closed the book 
and returned it to his pocket while with his two hands 
essayed to make a semblance of a part in the tumbled 
hair. 

“ Never mind,” she laughed, “ it’s hopeless ! ” 

The remark confused the young man somewhat, but 
he finally concluded to join in her laughter. 

It was the last time he allowed his mind to take 
the unusual attitude of dwelling upon his personal 
appearance, even in her presence. Scrupulously 
clean he always was and had a distinctive manner 
of dress even though very plain. 

Sobering, Edah answered his question; “I enjoy 
your reading immensely and think this man a wonder 
or wizard — but whether I shall ever fully understand 
what he is trying to set forth I can’t say.” 

“ But you will, I am sure, and think it wonderful 
as I do.” 

“ Come to-morrow and have dinner with us and if 
the morning is fine we will take the walk we have 
been promising Robert before dinner, instead of 
after ; — for it is my customary practice to prepare 
that meal on Saturday — giving myself one long holi- 


164 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


day. Perhaps we can read a little, — but with the 
children all wide awake that is very problematical/’ 
smiling and shaking her head. 

With an acceptance and lingering hand-shake, he 
was gone. 

She locked the door and blew out the light — hoping 
the darkness would hide even from herself her blush- 
ing face. 

“ She must not allow him to hold her hand like that 
again. No, it was not right — she must be circum- 
spect — for was she not married? ” 

The thought sent a cold chill to her heart. Clasp- 
ing her head in her two hands she stood motionless 
a moment — then throwing off the unpleasant mood she 
returned to thoughts of the delightful evening. 

She went into the kitchen, lighted a candle and fixed 
the baby’s food for the night, then went to bed — but 
it was long before she could sleep. She listened to the 
regular breathing of the dear, healthy children and 
felt again the thrill of that leave-taking hand-clasp, — 
but no more specter-like memories from out the past 
intruded upon her happiness. 

The next day was not propitious for walking out- 
side; the morning was rainy and the rest of the day 
lowering, but they found enjoyment and pleasure 
indoors. 

After the dinner was over and Robert had helped 
“ do up ” the work he came and stood by his mother’s 
side and seemed disinclined to amuse himself or 
Danny. He did not coax and tease as many children 
would have done but it was evident he wanted some- 
thing he did not like to ask for. 

Philip guessed : 

“ Come on, Robert, let us go see how things look 
in the work-shop this rainy day; — We may be able 
to do some planning for next week.” 

The boy flashed up at him a glad look, — his childish 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


165 

features fairly radiant, and the two moved off in the 
direction of the wood-house chatting gaily as they 
went. 

Danny resented being left behind and was not slow 
in letting the fact be known. 

“ Never do you mind,” taking him by the hand and 
seating herself on the floor beside the scattered play- 
things — “ you and mothey are going to make a g-r-e-a-t 
b-i-g house ! ” 

Later when Edah passed through the kitchen on an 
errand with Mildred on her arm she saw her bare- 
foot boy and Philip Dempster — the latter with trousers 
turned up at the bottom — making their way through 
Beauty’s pasture, heading for the silver stream run- 
ning through the hollow. 

Edah smiled ; she knew how happy Robert was and 
a kindred feeling spread throughout her being. 

It was not till all was quiet in the evening that the 
Karl Marxian readings were resumed. 

Edah sat near the door leading into the bed-room — 
listening for sounds from Mildred who had not gone 
off to sleep with her usual readiness. 

As the reader progressed further into the life his- 
tory she was much impressed with the magnitude of 
the work done by that indefatigable man — and when 
he closed the book and replaced it in his pocket, she 
remarked, “ How tremendously busy he was ! I sup- 
pose though, his very ability in that line was one of 
the marks of his genius.” 

“ Judging from what I’ve seen to-day, according 
to your definition you must belong to that dis- 
tinguished category ; ” looking as if he could say 
more. 

Edah was quick to detect “ symptoms ” and always 
speedily veered away from the dangerous topic — al- 
though the necessity for these changes was becoming 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


1 66 

more frequent — so many things seemed to give occa- 
sion; — but she only said 

“ Yes, mothers have abundant opportunity of being 
infinitely busy. Do you know, I was reading the 
other day of a new and wonderful method of educa- 
tion for the young, the prinicple of which is ‘ discipline 
through liberty ! ' Does not that sound good ? It 
must certainly revolutionize existing conditions being 
so diametrically different ! ” 

He smiled at her enthusiasm — “ Nothing could be 
better ! ” adding thoughtfully, “ I have been thinking 
how you must dislike the very thought of subjecting 
the free, independent spirit of Robert to the process 
of the ‘ mill ’ as at present conducted by our public 
schools.” 

“ When I allow myself to consider the matter of 
his education two or three years hence, it positively 
makes me gloomy. The method in use with us at 
present consists in four or five school sessions daily ! ” 
“ Really! When do you find the time, may I ask? 
I am more than ever convinced the term ‘ genius ’ 
fits.” 

She shook her head — “ Well, it is like this ; — when- 
ever my boy wants to know anything — if he is playing 
outside and his blessed little mind has become curious, 
active, or in a reaching-out mood — we have a session 
at once ! 

“ Bread may rise and fall,” she added gaily, “ nay, 
more, kingdoms and empires may do the same — but 
when Robert — and later these others — wants to learn, 
there is a lesson immediately ! ” and her low peals of 
merry laughter were too contagious to be resisted. 

Becoming thoughtful — “ however the school period 
never lasts beyond ten minutes, — often not so long — 
but during that time he has to concentrate; — I find 
it is very good for me as well.” 

“ The business of being a mother requires a tre- 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


167 

mendous scope of training and preparation I should 
judge — according to your idea of being a mother/' he 
remarked gravely, looking fixedly at her. 

“ Yes ” — too full of her subject to be alive to the 
dangers attending its discussion — “ it seems to me to 
be the most important business in life — yet one that 
in reality is entered into with the least preparation ! — 
and then we are surprised at the wrong way things 
are going in the world ! ” 

Her face reflected the intensity of her feelings on 
the subject and she remained in silent thought her 
eyes fixed upon the floor. 

Presently rousing herself she again referred to the 
article which had so interested her and she went 
on to tell in detail what she had gleaned. 

“ My desire for my children has been to make them 
industrious, — clean within and without — wholesome, 
truthful and above all unselfish ; — if I only knew 
how to teach this method it would be such a help/' 

Without waiting for her companion to speak she 
continued, “ Do you know the teachers, under the 
training of this wonderful woman founder, are for- 
bidden to smother the individual personality of a child 
under penalty of death , — almost ! 

“ Please excuse the exaggeration ” — archly — “ to be 
really truthful it is not quite so bad as that, but ” — 
and she trailed off into thought, murmuring softly, 
“ it is so wonderful — wonderful ! ” 

She had almost forgotten the presence of her com- 
panion and they sat silent some moments. 

Presently she went on, “ it looks as if the poor, 
dear, helpless little ones are at last to be allowed ‘ to 
come into their own ’ after the lapse of so many cen- 
turies. It has been a long time in coming.” Thought- 
fully — “ you know the Bible says, 4 the first shall be 
last/ ” 

With his elbow on the table and his head resting in 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


1 68 

his hand he looked at her — “ it never said a truer 
thing : — but — do you really believe everything you 
find in the Bible? ” 

She smiled back at him — “ Let me answer by ask- 
ing — do you? ” 

“ I’m very sure I do not — precious little — it is much 
too contradictory. Early in the volume we are told 
God gave the command to men, ‘ Thou shalt not kill/ 
and then proceeded to order them to slay the Amale- 
kites, horse, foot and dragoons. 

“ As for hell and damnation ! ” — with rather start- 
ling brusqueness — adding disgustedly, “ some people's 
idea of God is my idea of a monster! ” 

Edah could not help a tiny little smile — but instantly 
sobering — “ surely there must be a day of reckoning — 
a time of evening things up — of righting the wrongs 
which are not requited here below ! ” with an inflec- 
tion of bitterness in her tones he had never heard 
before. 

He gave her a look of searching scrutiny then has- 
tened to say, “ well, doubtless there will be, as you 
suggest, some sort of process of ‘ evening up ; ’ — per- 
haps it might consist in transforming at death all the 
husbands into wives and the wives into husbands ! ” 

His remark occasioned much merriment but deep 
down in his heart Philip Dempster was thirsting for 
a man’s blood — the man who had wronged this peer- 
less woman whom he loved ! 

After a silence of several minutes, he said, “ Really 
I think I must be distantly connected with the aborig- 
ines of the land, for the God of the Indian — of Na- 
ture — the Great Spirit is good enough for me.” 

As he paused she made answer, “ I used to believe 
every word of scripture — or at least I thought I did — 
but now I have come to a point where I have let go of 
everything till some future day of enlightenment, ex- 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 169 

cept this — which embraces my creed, doctrine and my 
all-consuming ambition !” 

Her eyes grew deep and dark with feeling and a 
look of reverential awe stole over her features, as she 
said softly. 

“ I believe with my whole being what the apostle 
John says of the Christ — “He was the Word made 
flesh ’ and it is for us to be obedient to His wonder- 
ful teaching: for ‘Never man spake like this man/ 
How — why — when — or where — to my mind are irrel- 
evant questions. One fact alone stands clearly out — 
the necessity for unquestioning, prompt obedience to 
His known commands.” 

The earnestness and intensity of her look and man- 
ner added weight to the words she uttered. 

'Twas the most powerful sermon he ever remem- 
bered to have heard and made the most lasting im- 
pression. He could not escape the conviction that 
there must be a great deal in a religion that could be 
the mainspring of such a life and spirit as hers, and 
silence reigned in the cheerful sitting-room for some 
time. 

When she spoke again it was along the line of what 
they had, earlier been reading, and of his theories of 
life which were so vital to him. While she could not 
always quite agree with his deductions she never 
argued against them : only once she had said — “ Rut 
won't the same old majority rule, and the same weak 
minority be oppressed?” 

She was almost sorry she had spoken for he looked 
a little disappointed for a moment, she thought, before 
answering her objection, — conclusively to his mind at 
least, if not to hers — “ and it might be he was right 
and she wrong ” she reasoned to herself — at any rate 
there was never any more of any thing that looked 
like a difference of opinion regarding his precious 
views of life. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


170 


CHAPTER XIV. 

The new house was nearing completion and Edah 
was distressed in many ways. First and foremost 
Philip was going back to the neighboring city from 
whence he came, and the days and evenings bereft 
of his delightful companionship were almost unthink- 
able. 

Then there was the other horn to the dilemma — 
“ Could she manage matters so that Philip would not 
say the things she wanted to hear, yet must not let 
him say? ” For it was becoming daily more difficult 
to keep from getting into dangerous waters. 

It was late in September and Philip was leaving in 
a few days. 

He had been to dinner with them and the day being 
so fine, they went for a farewell walk. 

Mrs. Johnson had begged to keep the children but 
Edah knew it would be such a disappointment to 
Robert, — besides she felt safer somehow with them 
along. 

It was one of those perfect autumn days that seems 
more like the beginning of a new season than the end 
of the one just passing — when all nature was resting 
and holding its breath so as not to hasten the change 
and force the issue with the approaching season. 

Edah thought nothing could be more perfect — “ the 
day — the hour — the place ! ” 

When they started Philip had wanted to push Mil- 
dred’s little go-cart. 

With a grateful look and a, “ No, I thank you,” she 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


171 

added, “ but if you will you may assist Danny whose 
short legs make locomotion painfully slow at times.” 

So with a wave of the hand to the Johnsons on their 
front porch they started up the hill. 

Robert — beaming with happiness, for he was tre- 
mendously fond of Philip — ran on ahead; stopped, 
turned back and walked demurely by the young man’s 
side holding his hand and talking like a magpie for 
a while, — then bounded off again — too full of spirits 
to keep time to Danny’s slow steps. 

The quiet of the Indian Summer day held enthralled 
their little community as well as themselves and the 
whole country-side. 

Looking northward, the small village of Blackburn, 
about a mile and a half distant, was nearly hidden 
under its umbrageous trees and clung to its hills 
like moss on great stones. 

They wandered slowly up to the summit, where they 
had often gone before, too engrossed with the beauty 
of it all for much conversation, only such as was 
shared by the children. 

At the entrance to the cemetery they paused — - 
holden with the marvelous view which unfolded itself 
in every direction. 

On the south was an orchard laden with the red 
fruit of autumn, like huge bouquets of American 
Beauty roses. 

Farther on to the east lay the valley of the river, 
smiling in the rich fulfillment of its harvest. 

The late afternoon sun sent a warm glow over the 
whole landscape, performing the miracle of alchemy. 

As they entered the quiet abode of the dead, Edah 
thought for the hundredth time, “ what place more fit- 
ting? ” it was the point in that whole country round , 
about, nearest the sky. 

Rich fields covered with golden crops rolled away 
from it in every direction to the valleys — and beyond 


172 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


the valleys were other hills covered with the blue In- 
dian Summer mist ; — like a fugue where the theme is 
taken up first by one voice and then another, in one 
key and then another and all woven into one another 
and were held together by a wonderful accompani- 
ment of amber light and ultra-marine blue haze. 

Sinuous lines of trees followed the river, the creeks 
and the valleys — now every shade of topaz, emerald 
and garnet. The leaves had not yet begun to fall, so 
were in the fullness of their glory. 

As the long shadows began to stretch themselves 
eastward, they realized the wondrous picture would 
soon be gone — never to be just the same again. 

She was quite unconscious that Philip had wheeled 
the go-cart with the sleeping baby, accompanied by the 
other two — to the end of the road at the cemetery 
gate — where they awaited her coming. 

She still stood engrossed with the scene — its tran- 
quilizing spirit blending and harmonizing with the 
joy in her soul. She thought she “ never would for- 
get that day ” — it would stand out as one nearest 
Heaven.” And she never did! 

Many times in after life it came back — recalled by 
the haze, the scent of an autumn day — but the glory 
had all gone out, leaving only a sensation of soul- 
sickness and nostalgia as each vivid detail spread out 
before her memory. 

But no premonitions marred her perfect happiness 
that glorious afternoon. 

Those children of hers were seldom long out of her 
mind and presently she turned, wondering at the quiet. 
Smiling as she located the happy group, she came with 
long, swinging, graceful steps to move the small party 
homeward. 

He refused their united invitation to stay and have 
supper with them — saying in a low tone for Edah’s 
ear alone that later she might expect him. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


173 


After all were put to bed, Edah threw a light wrap 
about her and seated herself on the porch to await his 
coming. 

Even Danny's loud wailing at the ceremony of being 
clean, was not sufficient to bring her thoughts to earth 
again — although it sometimes had the effect of mak- 
ing her quite distressed and set her wondering if her 
method were faulty that he did not seem to get over 
the habit. 

She had not long to wait — for soon out of the deep 
shadows of the moonless night she discerned the out- 
lines of his figure as he turned the corner. 

With bared head, cap under his arm and hands in 
his pockets he walked briskly up. 

The sensations which coursed through her being at 
his approach, compelled her analyzing attention — for 
a fraction of a second only — for she put those dis- 
turbing thoughts aside “ till a more convenient sea- 
son,” while she cordially welcomed him as if they had 
not met for days, instead of two short hours. 

She plunged into speech at once ; she did not dare 
let Philip do the talking in that quiet, romantic hour, 
“ In the dark, — in the dew,” and “ only their two 
selves in all the whole wide world ! ” 

Soon she suggested going in. 

“ Let us stay and watch the moon come up — it must 
be nearly if not quite full about now?” 

Nothing would have been more in accord with 
Edah’s feelings than to watch that witching miracle 
with Philip sitting by her side, enjoying its beauties 
with her — but she felt the danger of it and was firm 
in her desire to go inside. 

“ It is beginning to grow chilly these September 
evenings almost as soon as the sun goes down,” she 
said as she led the way indoors. 

She turned up the light saying as she did so, “ Let 


174 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


me see if I can recall where we left off/’ making a 
feint of thinking hard. 

He had seated himself among the pillows of the 
lounge with a forlorn hope that she would join 
him 

“ I did not bring the book to-night ; I thought it 
might be the last before I should be leaving and I had 
some things I wanted to talk with you about.” 

There was a sudden ominous vibratory tone in his 
voice. 

Deep consternation seized her ! “ but she mustn’t 

let him, indeed she must not ! ” 

So she did the talking. 

She talked of the children and their cunning little 
ways and sayings — of everyday happenings — of inci- 
dents from out her girlhood days — of anecdotes she 
had read — of grotesque things of which she had heard, 
and the people she had known — and her talk was in- 
terspersed with repeated peals of laughter. She be- 
came flushed and excited and her eyes shown with a 
brilliancy in keeping with her inward tumult. 

Presently Mildred began to fuss and Edah went in 
to soothe her off to sleep, but she was in no condition 
to quiet anything and she made sorry work of it. 

Finally in her efforts with the baby she had some- 
what calmed herself and then had the satisfaction of 
seeing Mildred drop off, apparently, into a sound 
sleep. 

When she emerged from the darkened bed-room, 
shading her eyes with her hand — Philip was standing 
with his hat in his hand ready to go. 

“ Is it so late as that? ” glancing at the clock as she 
spoke — “ she is usually not so hard to manage. 

Don’t you think you can run in again before leav- 
ing? ” 

She tried to speak carelessly, but was conscious of 
a more or less dismal failure in the effort. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


T 75 


He looked at her searchingly ; — he had been trying 
to puzzle out the meaning of her unusual conduct all 
the evening. “I will most certainly if I can; but I 
hope with your permission to come down often on 
Saturday or Sunday — it is for you to say,” with a look 
in his eyes that conveyed volumes of meaning. 

Edah felt their compelling influence and hesitated — 
“ you know it would grieve me very much to lose the 
pleasure of your visits,” in a low tone and with an 
earnestness and truthfulness of manner which left no 
doubt in the mind of her listener. 

He could scarcely restrain the impulse to catch her 
up in his arms and breathe in her ear his great and 
absorbing love then and there — have it out and know 
his fate — but because of that same deep love he re- 
spected her evident wishes and remained silent, but 
it took colossal effort on his part. 

“ So it was over ! ” and Edah sighed deeply as she 
locked the door — she did not know whether from re- 
lief or sorrow. 

But that dangerous time was safely passed ; — when 
next they met — two weeks later — it was with a joyous 
light-heartedness on Edah’s part and he responded in 
kind. 

The week-end visits continued throughout the win- 
ter — the readings and discussions went on and their 
evident pleasure and delight in each other’s society 
was given free rein — unchecked — but the deeper 
waters were not stirred. 

He accepted the place she assigned him and was 
apparently content. 

Not long after Philip’s departure Edah received a 
letter from Mrs. Williams’ home town addressed in a 
strange hand bordered in black. 

Her heart sank upon taking it from the mail-box 


176 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


and she laid it on the table feeling almost unable to 
break the seal. 

The weekly letter from her friend was several 
days overdue and she had planned to write again her- 
self that very night. She had about made up her 
mind to tell this dear friend about Philip, whom here- 
tofore she had only mentioned casually as she did the 
others who came in contact with her life. 

“ Now she could never, never confess her growing 
fondness for Philip and his unspoken love for her ! ” 

She wanted so much to have her friend’s advice — 
but something had held her back. Now she was face 
to face with it — “what zvas that something? ” 

Grief-stricken and terrified she dared not pursue 
that long forbidden line of thought so she hastily arose 
and took the fretful baby in her arms and walked 
back and forth soothing it — then seated herself by 
the table and opened the foreboding letter. 

’Twas as she feared. 

It was written by the youngest daughter and con- 
veyed the sad news of her mother’s death after a very 
.short illness of pneumonia. 

“ She mentioned your name in her delirium many 
times,” — the letter said. 

Baby Mildred dropped off to sleep and Edah sat 
weeping forlorn and sorrowful tears. Her desolate 
heart called out for Philip — for a sympathetic friend 
in her lonely grief. 

This had been a hard day for her — besides being 
one of her busiest — things had gone wrong from the 
morning. Robert pounded his thumb instead of the 
tack he had intended — Danny climbed up on the porch 
railing and fell over narrowly escaping a broken col- 
lar bone — and the baby had been fussy — refusing to 
take her accustomed nap — and on top of all — this 
^crushing news ! 

But some women must work even though they weep 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


177 


and she arose and carried the sleeping child into the 
bed-room and laid it on its own little cot — fervently 
hoping it would take a good long nap — and went to 
finish the week's ironing. 

When at last the unhappy day was ended and all 
was quiet within, she stole out on her little porch and 
stood with her back against one of the pillars gazing 
into the silent night — inexpressibly sad and heavy- 
hearted. 

She gave herself up to her feelings of loneliness — 
realizing in the death of this loved friend, she had 
lost her one earthly support in matters of the soul. 

Her mind went back to the hard, defiant, hopeless 
days before they two had met and the tears welled up 
and overflowed as with tender recollections she re- 
called how this good Samaritan had poured oil upon 
her wounded heart and bade her live. 

She had come to understand more of this woman's 
nature as her own developed along somewhat the same 
lines. She could see how this friend — like many an- 
other — had been caught in the “ Tangled web of things 
as they are,” and could not extricate herself. 

“ But now ” — and she looked into the dark arching 
vault of Heaven studded with its myriad stars — “ she 
has gone out into unrestricted freedom — perfect lib- 
erty ! ” 

“ Unfettered and untrammeled by Earth's laws, 
customs and senseless traditions, where she too, would 
join her when her own work was finished,” and she 
bowed her head, “ God grant that her mantle fall on 
me and make me worthy.” 

The cool frosty air made her feel better and some- 
thing from out the great silence of the night whispered 
comfort and peace to her sorrowing heart. 


i;8 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER XV. 

One snowy Saturday evening in mid-winter Edah 
and Robert sat by their cheerful fire waiting for 
Philip : the former quite uneasy for a terrible blizzard 
was raging and she knew perfectly well he would walk 
out through it and she thought anxiously, “ no one 
should be abroad in such a storm of biting wind and 
driving snow.” 

She preserved an outward semblance of calm, but 
many times she went into the kitchen-dining-room 
ostensibly to see after the fire in the hard-coal range — • 
but in reality to take another look through the snowy 
window panes at the wild storm outside and strain 
her ear for the sound of the closing gate. 

She had placed a burning candle in the East win- 
dow of the outside kitchen to light his way through 
the yard. 

Robert was allowed to sit up a little later than the 
others and the time had been extended as a special 
privilege on this particular evening. 

He was beginning to get impatient and for about 
the tenth time asked his mother, “ Don’t you think 
it’s most time for Philip ? ” when above the roar of the 
wind were heard unmistakable sounds of someone 
stamping the snow from his feet on Edah’s back 
porch. 

“ There he is now ! ” rushing in haste to open the 
door for him, Edah following not far behind. 

“ Merry Christmas everybody — here’s Santa Claus ! ” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


179 


said the young man in jolly tones — speaking to the 
boy but looking with glad eyes over his head into his 
mother’s face which reflected a welcome that “ was 
worth coming for in that wild night/’ the young man 
thought as he removed his outer coat and shook it 
free of snow on the windy porch. 

Robert took him by the hand and the three entered 
the warm, bright, cosy room. 

Edah sat with her work, a pleased spectator while 
Philip and Robert laughed and chatted and had a good 
time together. 

Presently the clock struck. The boy looked plead- 
ingly at his mother — “ Mayn’t I stay up a little longer, 
I’m not sleepy?” 

She smiled — “ I believe you. You may wait until 
it strikes for the half hour.” 

When that time had rolled altogether too quickly 
by Edah arose saying briskly, “ Come, Robert : ” that 
individual moved with reluctant feet in the direction 
of the bed-room. 

Rising as he spoke Philip asked, “ W ould you like 
me to turn the bed back for you? I wonder if I know 
how ? ” 

“ Mothey always fixes it when she puts Danny to 
bed but ” — delighted satisfaction radiating from the 
little face — “ I would like to have you come too.” 

And Edah allowed Philip to usurp her place while 
she sat listening to their whispering tones as the prep- 
arations for bed went forward. 

As he re-entered the room she said, “ These cold 
nights the bath-room is not warm enough for them to 
have their bath after I open both doors for the heat 
to go through from the kitchen, so it has to be done 
earlier in the day. I think when Danny finds he es- 
capes in the evening he has a hope that baths are over 
forever ! but really,” she added, “ he does seem to be 
getting a little less difficult.” 


i8o 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ The bed-room itself does not seem to be any too 
warm right now/' said Philip as he lifted the top of 
the base-burner to see if it could hold any more coal 
and opened up the draft. 

While he was busy with the two stoves she re- 
marked, “ Don't you think you would better go over 
and tell the Johnsons you will be pleased to accept 
one of their many invitations to spend the night?" 

“ I arranged that little preliminary as I came 
through their back yard, — I was sure they would be 
delighted ! ” naively. 

“ Of course they will be ! you know she has an un- 
bounded admiration for yourself ! " 

“ Oh, has she ? — they are nice people and good 
neighbors and I am glad for your sake they are so 
near." 

“ To say nothing of your own on occasions like the 
present," she laughingly retorted — adding seriously, 
“ It is a cause of never-ending thankfulness on my 
part. 

Now if you are through with your work and can 
take the time will you kindly be seated while I unfold 
a matter which has been perplexing me for some 
time." 

After a little pause, “ I have come to a point where 
I greatly need advice, — but — I almost know before- 
hand exactly what you’ll say." 

“ Indeed?" 

“ Yes, indeed !” in a lively manner — “ so I suppose 
it won’t really help the decision after all ! " 

“ Well, try me and see," said the young man. 

Edah let her sewing fall into her lap while she 
gravely stated her trouble. 

“ Robert is so very fond of music — most children 
are, I fancy — and I am hesitating about the purchase 
of a graphophone. He could thus hear some of the 
world’s finest music and while it would educate his 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


i8r 


musical taste along high lines, would at the same 
time give him so much pleasure and enjoyment. 

“ But,”— she added ruefully, — “ Is it necessary that 
he should have a musical education ” — hastening to 
add as she saw his dissenting face — “ I have the 
money, but you know I’m saving up for the nurse’s 
salary, of which I want to tell you later — and after 
that is accomplished I have visions of setting up an- 
other ‘ Castle Industrie ’ wherein some good woman, 
whom no man has discovered, may have the oppor- 
tunity of living again in her dear orphan children. 

“ So you see it looks like the greatest folly for me 
even to think of the music, in light of these immense 
possibilities for good. Now what do you say?” with 
perplexity written in her every feature. 

“ I will send at once for material for the cabinet- 
table and Robert and I will have such fine times mak- 
ing it when I’m over ! ” her companion answered 
amusedly. 

Edah laughing said, “Well! — I don’t believe I did 
know exactly what you would say ! but it is so very, 
very kind of you to make such a generous offer.” 

Seriously — “ I understand your difficulty perfectly, 
knowing you as I do, but I really think it would be 
right for you to get the machine. Should the musical 
side of a child be ‘ smothered 9 as you say, any more 
than any other? besides / believe it will be of untold 
benefit to Robert ; ” and the young man was speaking 
one word for the boy and a strong half-dozen for the 
mother whom he knew was so passionately fond of 
music and yet it was almost shut out of her life as 
she was now living it. 

“ I argue that way sometimes myself. Then again 
I know perfectly well that perhaps I should do with- 
out many other things that I almost consider absolute 
necessaries, to forward so great a cause. It is so 
hard to know just exactly what is right ! ” and Edah 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


182 

sighed — she knew Philip could not quite understand 
her view-point. 

“ Well,” in a light tone, “ let us get down to busi- 
ness. Have you any idea the kind of graphophone you 
want? ” 

“ How you do take things for granted ! ” laughing. 

Somehow at his words and manner, as if there were 
no other side to be considered the tremendous matter 
of right and wrong which had occasioned her so much 
conflict seemed quite insignificant now. 

Blushing guiltily — “ I have some catalogues which 
I sent for a few days ago ! ” adding in a half em- 
barrassed, comical way — “ I remind myself of the 
preacher whose small boy was asked by one of the 
parishioners if his father was going to accept the 
‘ call 9 which had recently come his way ; — you know 
his answer — ‘ father is still praying over it but the 
furniture is all packed ! ' 99 Which remark occasioned 
much merriment on the part of both, and Edah, light- 
hearted and gay, went into the matter of selection 
with all the eagerness of a child. 

When it was finally disposed of to her entire satis- 
faction and the letter written ready to send she once 
more settled herself with her work. 

“ Now, Fm going to tell you of my great find! you 
know Eve been writing around and doing consider- 
able investigation relative to the nurse I had in mind 
to help with the constantly increasing demands of 
the sick poor. I’ve had to refuse several times lately 
when sent for on account of sickness among my own 
children — and it is quite impossible for me to leave 
at night you know — I cannot impose upon dear, good 
Lena Johnson beyond the day-time. Well, a very nice 
young woman came to see me day before yesterday 
and I liked her looks so much that we came to terms 
immediately. 

“ She belongs near Brander — Marie Reed by name — 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


183 


and has had one year of training. At the end of that 
time she was called home on account of the serious 
illness of her mother which lasted so long and was 
so expensive that when she was well enough to leave, 
Marie concluded to begin on something remunerative 
at once and hearing of this came to me. She seemed 
very pleased with my offer and is a quiet, sympathetic, 
practical girl who has known all her life what it is 
to work. 

“ One of these days Dan is going to marry again — 
which is all right of course — and I shall have to give 
up Danny, the thought of which grieves me sore. 
Perhaps his place will be filled with a real young baby 
like Mildred was when she came to me — taking up 
more of my time — so it is good to have a helper or 
perhaps I should say, substitute, although there is 
often plenty of work for two.” 

She did not realize she was treading on thin ice till 
she glanced into his face as she ceased speaking — but 
simultaneously came a hoarse bark from the bed- 
room, sounding perilously like croup. 

Edah did not tarry : the child had had it before and 
from the first signal was right into the rigors of the 
attack. She wrapped her about with a blanket and 
carried her to the fire and for two hours she and 
Philip were quite busy. 

The latter moved out the small iron bed into the 
living-room and presently the breathing grew less 
labored and the child went back to sleep. 

As Edah placed her in the bed he whispered, “ My, 
wasn’t that awful ! does she often have attacks like 
that?” 

“ It was only spasmodic croup — but that is always 
alarming to me,” answered Edah. “ She is going to 
be all right now I think.” 

“ Let me sit by her and keep up the fires while you 
get some sleep,” he urged. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


184 

“ Thank you ever so much, but it’s not necessary. 
I shall sleep with one eye open — Em used to it ; but if 
you will you may look after the fire in the other room 
before you go and then we’ll all get to sleep for it’s 
quite late.” 

The next morning they awoke to a world trans- 
formed. Purity and whiteness spread in every di- 
rection. The two, tall, blue spruces on either side 
the gate were marvels of beauty — their branches 
draped and drooping in their snowy mantles. The 
wind had died down and a Sunday quiet reigned 
everywhere. 

Philip shoveled away the paths in front and cleared 
the porches while Eric Johnson opened up avenues in 
the rear. 

The men vied with each other in their efforts to 
help Edah : she declaring, “ They would certainly 
spoil her — if indeed it’s not already an accomplished 
fact ; ” she added humorously. 

Mildred was better but she could not be allowed 
on the floor where she loved to be, which made her 
fretful and hard to care for. 

The others caught the infection, and Edah — even 
with Philip’s assistance found the day not only busy — 
but her resourcefulness was tested to its utmost. 

As he left to catch his train in the late afternoon 
he said, holding her hand in his and gazing into her 
eyes in the most disconcerting way — “ If there are 
golden crowns to be had as rewards, the mothers of 
young children are certainly the ones entitled to 
them.” 

“As I have told you many times — there are com- 
pensations of which only mothers know,” with half- 
averted face — trying to retain an unconscious atti- 
tude under that burning glance — which she was far 
from feeling. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


185 

Since work on the cabinet had begun Philip had 
been in the habit of coming down on Saturday after- 
noon : and those hours with Philip in the work-shop 
were ones of unalloyed delight to Robert and he 
looked forward with childish eagerness for the day — 
making numerous inquiries from the time Philip left — 
“ Mothey when will Saturday come? ” 

The boy's ardent attachment for his mother’s friend 
was mingled with something of awe and reverence 
for Philip’s ability and attainments with the utensils 
of work. 

Late one Saturday afternoon the two came into the 
kitchen with oily, grimy hands in search of soap and 
warm water. 

“ Well, the stand has received its last polish and the 
other things are unpacked — all ready to set up ; little 
Pal is in quite a state of excitement,” looking affec- 
tionately down on the boy who really seemed in im- 
minent danger of bursting. 

Edah who was kneading her bread at the table held 
up two doughy, floury hands as a companion-piece to 
his ; — “ I really began to think I should have to ‘ sit 
up ’ with my bread to-night — it shows every evidence 
of having taken a hard cold but ” — merrily — “ with 
good warm treatment perhaps such extreme measures 
will not be necessary.” 

While Edah was busy with the supper preparations 
Philip carried in the really beautiful cabinet, and set 
up the graphophone, Robert assisting by bringing in 
and putting away in their compartments the few 
records and before they sat down to the supper table 
everything was in readiness for a trial. 

“ Come see, mothey ! ” Robert called out in great 
glee dancing about the room in the fulness of his joy. 

The cabinet was by far the most ornamental piece 
of furniture in the room and they had placed it in the 
corner between the bed-room and dining-room doors — 


i86 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


and on its beautifully polished top rested the new 
musical instrument. 

Edah was sufficiently enthusiastic in her sincere 
praises to suit even Robert's idea in the matter and 
it was a truly happy group that sat down to the sup- 
per table and later gathered expectantly about the in- 
strument, — only Robert had been much too excited to 
eat. 

When the first strains of music floated out through 
the room he came and stood by his mother's side — 
motionless, straight, unbending, his hands behind his 
back and fingers closing tightly over his doubled-up 
thumbs — thrilled to the bone. 

His flushed face and lustrous eyes, from which 
shone wonderment, awe and something akin to rap- 
ture, told of the tumult within that childish being. 

Edah was more affected by her boy's exaltation 
than by the beautiful harmonies to which her hungry 
ear had been so long a stranger : while Philip sat with 
a sort of devouring look in his eyes as they rested 
without fear of detection upon the woman he loved. 

Danny, and even Baby Mildred were both permitted 
to remain up on this most unusual and notable occa- 
sion. 

When the few records had each been played twice, 
Edah carried Mildred off to bed, following a little 
later the same procedure with Danny, while at 
Philip’s insistence he and “ Little Pal " cleared away 
the supper things and washed and put up the dishes. 

“ Mothey, may I play one all by myself before I go 
to bed ? ” Robert asked as the three gathered once 
more about the graphophone. 

“ Certainly you may/' closing the doors as she 
spoke so as not to disturb Mildred. 

The boy selected at random, and under Philip's su- 
pervision carefully adjusted one of the records — again 
sending the sweet strains of unwonted music through 
the house. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


187 

Returning the disc to its compartment he turned to 
his mother for his good-night kiss, still keyed up to 
an unusual pitch. 

As he and Philip were leaving for the bed-room 
Edah’s eyes telegraphed a message to the latter which 
that gentleman was not slow to understand. 

She seated herself with her evening work and lis- 
tened to the low-toned monologue with which Philip 
sought to quiet the lad's excitement and pave the 
way for sleep — and she smiled as she thought she 
distinguished verbatim sections of the beloved Karl 
Marx. 

It produced the desired effect on the child but above 
that monotony the music of the evening was riotously 
echoing within Edah's own being making her restless 
and uneasy. Her scruples about its purchase returned 
at this inopportune time to harass and torment her. 

She arose and went into the other room. 

Philip hearing her fussing with the range, came to 
her assistance. 

“ Does it need coal ? " lifting the bucket as he spoke. 

“ No — it’s all right." 

As they moved together into the living-room she 
said, “ That was very cleverly done — I could not have 
done it half so well." 

“ Thank you. When I get crippled and unable to 
work at my trade Eve serious thoughts of becoming a 
professional sleep-producer ! " 

They both laughed ; “ you will certainly fill a ‘ long- 
felt want ’ — become a welcome public benefactor. 
However it is very seldom I find myself in need of 
such services — my method seems to preclude the neces- 
sity. The children never get anything but the most 
wholesome things to eat, — that coupled with plenty of 
out-door exercise and lack of excitement works won- 
ders. 

I have sometimes asked myself whether or not I 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


188 

should provide more entertainment, but have come to 
the conclusion a perfectly normal, healthy child has 
untold resources within himself if let alone. 

I often tell Robert stories of the early explorers and 
Indian lore, and we are half-way through Robinson 
Crusoe with which he is fascinated. He takes them 
in as a sponge drinks up water and will often spend 
hours re-living the incidents in his own person with 
the yard for his world — himself in the chief character 
role. 

I used occasionally in the Fall allow him to ‘ ex- 
plore ’ the cornfield as far as the creek, although I 
was always scared stiff.” 

He laughed. 

“ You may laugh — but I can tell you it wasn’t any 
laughing matter at the time ! ” 

“ I think you did right — boys should be allowed 
considerable latitude.” 

With mock dignity, “ My method is the same with 
my girls — or will be when she gets older — as with my 
boys ! ” At which they both laughed. 

“ As for myself — while others consider the theater, 
opera, cards and dancing necessary to their happiness 
and well-being — I have hours of joy and transport 
without a single one of them.” 

As they were speaking she had picked up Mildred’s 
unfinished rompers and stood by the table working 
the button-holes. Suddenly tossing them back on the 
basket with, “ Doesn’t it seem unusually warm to you 
in here?” she flung wide the front door and stood 
sniffing the frosty air. 

“ I hadn’t noticed it,” with a half inquiring smile.” 

She closed the door and re-seated herself beside her 
work-table — but not to work. 

Philip saw she was laboring under some inward ex- 
citement and wondered — at the same time saying as 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 189 

he walked toward her book-shelf, “ what would you 
like to-night? ” 

“ I don’t believe I feel like hearing anything ; and 
she hastily arose and began walking back and forth — 
fingers tightly interlaced. 

Presently pausing she exclaimed, “ Oh, I could be 
so happy if I were not so miserable ! ” 

“ A very lucid statement indeed ! I think I can un- 
derstand your feelings perfectly ! ” and the young 
man laughed. 

There were other words that came rushing and 
tumbling over each other to gain utterance — but the 
iron-barred gate had to be closed against them. 

“ Yes, I think you understand in a way — it’s the 
same old question of money : I am sure it is an un- 
mitigated evil, but I’ve not yet been able logically to 
dispose of it.” 

“ When in doubt — take orphans ! ” laughingly quot- 
ing Edah’s own words on a former occasion. 

She, too, laughed a little as she recognized what she 
was now inclined to call “ one of her subterfuges.” 

“ The truth of the matter is, I do not really think 
we are to wait for doubtful conditions to be disposed 
of by reasoning. The situation resolves itself into a 
matter of faith, I feel sure. As my dear friend once 
said ‘ if we could only be obedient — trusting — God 
would run to meet us so fast we couldn’t see Him for 
dust ! ’ ” and their laughter mingled, but tears were 
shining in the eyes of both. 

“Of course, Edah, I cannot enter into your feel- 
ings in this matter. Money is a very useful thing I 
think and simplifies the business intercourse of men 
and nations : — ’tis with conditions I have my quarrel — 
equal opportunity for all would bring about a new day 
for mankind,” and he was launched upon his favorite 
topic and Edah’s scruples for the nonce, retired from 
sight — only to re-appear from time to time till the 


190 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


end of her life, causing her much sorrow, humili- 
ation and suffering. 

Her faith never rose high enough to “ forsake all 
and follow Him.” 

The next day — Sunday — Edah sat alone after 
Philip had gone and the children were asleep. They 
had spent such a happy day all together. 

The sweet-toned graphophone had truly proven a 
source of pleasure — and Robert had already learned 
to wind it — place the records and shut it off ; and her 
joy in his delight was not the least of Edah's happi- 
ness. 

The music of the afternoon still rang softly in her 
ears as she sat by the red light which shone from her 
base-burner. 

Although the almanac said it was Spring, Winter 
had a habit of stealing back after night-fall and grasp- 
ing things harshly in his cold icy hands, unwilling to 
relinquish his arbitrary sway. 

In spite of Edah’s glad and tender memories of 
the day — with their musical accompaniment — lurking 
in the background of her thoughts she caught glimpses 
of a dark, fleeting shadow. 

It was not altogether a stranger to her — she had 
seen its dim outlines before, but would not give it 
heed. 

From week to week she had felt her grip on the 
situation growing less firm. 

She knew Philip’s strong, forceful personality would 
some day assert itself and then — ! 

Frightened at her thoughts she hastily rose and 
donning her long sweater, stole out into the moon- 
light. 

She went down the steps — out between the two tall 
evergreen sentinels that kept guard at the gate and 
walked up and down the lane in front of her place. 

The frost sparkled like millions of gems on the 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


1 91 


long, dried grass beside the fences and the soft light 
silvered fields, meadows and hills converting them 
into fairy-land. 

From out her inner consciousness she heard the 
words of the Psalmist, “ I will look up to Heaven 
from whence cometh mine aid.” Involuntarily she 
lifted her eyes and out of her foreboding heart cried, 
“ Help, help, dear Lord ! ” 

The cold air relieved the sickening sensation she 
had begun to feel indoors, and her love of the beauti- 
ful in Nature soothed her and sent her thoughts into 
other channels. 

Once more tranquil and serene she re-entered the 
house and made things ready for the night. 

Thus again was this specter laid low which threat- 
ened her peace of mind. 

After that they sailed over untroubled waters for 
some time : but one Saturday evening when the sum- 
mer was young a tempestuous sea almost swamped 
her small barque. 

The squall was sharp, sudden and most disturbing. 

She had been bathing the two children and getting 
them off to bed so did not see the going-down of the 
sun which that lovely June evening was accomplished 
amid so much of splendor; but as she passed out on 
the way to her little porch she caught the unusual 
glow and hastened on, reaching the outer door as 
Philip Dempster entered the gate. 

“ Oh-h-h-h ! ” under her breath — “ do come look 
and then say you are glad you're living ! ” with a look 
of exultation glowing in her face. 

“I am looking! and I am glad I'm living!” in a 
voice not his every-day own — never removing his 
gaze from her features while his eyes glowed with a 
sudden light. 

Tremendously confused Edah stammered out some 
common-place remark while the lofty expression gave 


192 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


way to one of consternation — apprehension — alarm. 

She thought her last “ tack ” had been made. 

He noted the change and it sealed his lips though 
he paled with the effort, and the light died out of his 
eyes. 

When he could command his voice — “ Where is 
Robert ? ” 

With intense relief — “ I think he is with Eric : he 
dearly loves to go around with him at milking and 
feeding time. I dare say he has forgotten it is Sat- 
urday. Usually he gets so restless and nervous over 
the wait and asks me every ten minutes during the 
afternoon if ‘ it isn’t most train time.’ ” 

“ Well, I was about to propose we walk to the top 
of the hill where we can have a better view of this 
really most extraordinary sunset.” 

Slowly they wandered up the road — absorbing the 
glories as they silently walked along. 

The valley from horizon to horizon was bathed in 
a misty, rose-colored haze that had been transfused — • 
blended with molten gold — Heaven’s Own mixing. 

The very air was tremulous with the unwonted 
color and a stillness reigned as if Nature feared to 
break the wondrous charm. 

Edah gazed in rapture at her beloved world which 
was yet not quite her world — but changed and glori- 
fied for a half-hour’s adoration. 

She was so alive to the beauties of nature and sen- 
sitive to the Voice of Him Who spake through that 
medium that her recent panic was forgotten. 

Calm and tranquil she faced homeward as the twi- 
light shades gradually absorbed the radiance of that 
lingering sunset. 

Later as they sat together in their accustomed 
fashion, she with her work and he with a book — now 
closed preparatory to his departure — she said, “ Do 
you know I had rather an unusual call this afternoon.” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


193 


“ Yes? ” 

“ A young ‘ theologue/ He came in company with 
the superintendent of one of the Sunday-schools here. 

“ I used to have calls from representatives of the 
different churches seeking to have Robert enrolled as 
a pupil, but I fear they have about given me up as 
hopeless — at any rate I’ve not been interviewed for a 
long time.” 

“ The foul fiends fly away with the sects ! ! ! One 
half of Christendom worships a church and the other 
half worships a hook — neither worship God. We are 
all traveling the same rocky road, down to the brink 
of the same river Styx, where the same ugly boat is 
waiting for all; To my notion denominational soup is 
mighty thin diet for the trip ! ” 

Edah smiled up at him ; — his intensity of feeling 
along that line always amused her. 

“ Well, there is no doubt their banners are getting 
rather moth-eaten. I myself, would love to see the 
golden streamers of the pennant bearing the inscrip- 
tion of the eleventh commandment fluttering to the 
breeze in every land and clime. 

“ But to hark back to my young man caller ; — he 
seemed like a very nice fellow and very much in ear- 
nest — not yet through with his theological studies. 
Just at present he is traveling in the interest of Sun- 
day-school extension or some such thing. 

“ He seemed to have been informed as to our 
efforts among the sick-poor and asked a great many 
questions all of which you may be sure I was glad 
to speak about; — he did not even ask if Robert went 
to Sunday-school ! ” and she smiled. 

She had risen as she was speaking and folding up 
her work placed it on top of a pile of neatly-mended 
things ready to be put away. 

Together they stepped out into the soft night 

“ You’ll be here to dinner, of course? ” 


194 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ No — Em sorry to say. There is a pow-wow on 
for to-morrow and I am obliged to return in the 
morning,” as his hand closed over hers in parting. 

“ Well, I am disappointed — but, ‘ my loss is their 
gain/ I suppose you are down for a talk?” 

He assented. 

“ Please remember — socialist picnic or no — you 
have an engagement for next Sunday. Here's hoping 
the ‘ well won't be five miles deep and the pump out 
of order all the way down ! ’ ” she laughed — withdraw- 
ing her hand. 

After she had watched him till he had turned the 
corner she re-entered the still house; — all intervening 
thoughts seemed to pass out of her mind and again her 
panic returned. 

She saw once more that sudden change in Philip 
Dempster's face and it smote her heart. 

“I must no longer be guilty of this crime!” — the 
word stung her in a maddening way. 

“ I must not let it go on another day, — I must bid 
him go ! ” then she grew weak and faint. 

A voice pleaded, “ perhaps you may get word — hear 
in some miraculous way of his death, — then all will 
be clear for hope — happiness — and Philip!” 

Still another prompting, “ why disturb matters ? 
He is happy and so are you ! Gradually, in time, his 
love will change to friendship to be yours forever! 99 

But even that did not prove exactly comforting and 
conscience once more returned to the attack. 

“ What of her convictions of right? It was not fair 
to Philip — besides some other woman would be glad 
of an opportunity to comfort and make him happy if 
only she, Edah, did not block the way ! 99 

With a groan she covered her face with her hands. 

“ Oh, I must — must ! ” she wailed. 

“ But how can I — however can I ! ” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 

fc- 


195 


CHAPTER XVI. 

Edah stood in the dusky shade of her little piazza 
a week later — impatiently waiting for Philip. 

She had fought that battle with herself over and 
over again — thinking she had reached a decision — 
then having it all to go over once more. One moment 
she thought she had risen to heights sufficient to en- 
able her to give him up — the next she decided his 
coming belonged to the fixed order of things — was 
a matter of course — a necessary part of her life; — 
living without him was simply unthinkable. 

In unceasing rotation the conflict went on until 
something happened to turn her thoughts into another 
channel. 

Her listening ears had heard the train go through 
the village some time since and she grew nervous — 
uneasy over the delay — fearing she knew not what. 

A clump of near-by petunias shed their perfume on 
the summer air all unheeded by the usually responsive 
mistress ; but to-night she was too heavy-hearted to 
notice. 

She wanted Philip's comforting presence — and she 
wondered why he did not come. 

The suspense grew too strong for quiet waiting and 
she walked towards the corner for a larger outlook. 

They met mid-way. 

“ I’m so glad you’re come ! ” putting out both hands 
in a cordial greeting — “ I began to fear all sorts of 
things, you were so late.” 


196 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


The outstretched hands were clasped in his while 
he bent low over her upturned face. 

“ The train was off time ; then when I did get in 
Jack buttonholed me for a confab — but something 
has gone wrong — what has happened?" with grave 
concern, leading her to the waiting steps. 

“ Danny’s gone ! " in a choking voice as she seated 
herself against the porch pillar. 

“ Did Dan come for him? ’’ 

“Yes; he and the new wife were here to-day and 
when they left they took him with them. The child 
loves his father dearly and was happy to go with him, 
but — even while I knew it was right I — I did not want 
to give him up ! ” and there was a little catch in her 
voice which she could not control. 

The signs of not far-distant tears hastened him to 
say, “ I hope Dan got a nice girl — his first wife was a 
fine woman from what I hear." 

“ I hope she’ll love Danny as much as I do ! ” 
There was no help for it now, the tears would come. 

Philip stood it as long as he could, “ that is one of 
the things I lay up against a kind and merciful God ! " 
— with all the irony of which his voice was capable — ■ 
“ making stepmothers possible ! what good can pos- 
sibly come of it ! " he asked bitterly. 

“ Oh, you must not think such things, indeed you 
must not ! It isn’t God, it’s the wrong in the world, 
and it is just as likely to strike the innocent as any- 
one. The blame and responsibility, I suppose in the 
final analysis must rest upon us — the people. 

To get her thoughts into pleasanter channels — 
“ Come let’s go in — I want to have a glimpse of my 
Little Pal if I may," and he put his arm through hers 
and together they went softly in and stood by Rob- 
ert’s bed, he standing between her and Danny’s empty 
cot. 

Not much more than the sleeping boy’s outline 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


197 


could be discerned by the dim light of the shaded 
glow lamp as he lay with arms outstretched in the 
abandonment of his first deep sleep. 

As they re-seated themselves Philip observed, 
“ How that boy does grow ! ” 

“ Yes,” she answered, “ both physically and men- 
tally. Do you know I tremble before the wonderful 
personality of that child — fearing I may warp his 
beautiful nature or do the wrong thing somehow.” 

Edah was launched on her favorite and all-ab- 
sorbing topic and things went on cheerfully after that. 

They were so engrossed in their talk and in each 
other that they did not note the gathering clouds till 
a gust of wind from the southwest, scattering a few 
rain drops, announced the coming storm. 

They hurried within and went about lowering win- 
dows and closing doors in preparation for what prom- 
ised to be quite a storm — now that it was brought 
home to their observation. 

“ Pm always fascinated by these wild exhibitions 
of nature ” — as they stood together in the open door 
and watched the on-coming conflict — “ This battle 
of the elements — even when I realize the destruction 
and havoc they often leave in their wake, but ” — feel- 
ing his silence — “ perhaps it impresses you differ- 
ently. Let us come in, I have my usual Saturday 
evening mending to do and it is not so early as it was,” 
archly. 

As they left the door he said, “ Anything storm- 
tossed — even Nature — impresses me as sad; I cannot 
quite account for it. As a child I remember a neigh- 
bor’s barn being struck by lightning in a violent 
storm. But I should hope I had outlived an impression 
made so long ago.” 

“ It lives in your subconscious self, I suppose,” de- 
murely mischievous. 

“ Perhaps,” and he laughed. 


198 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


She knew and he knew that she knew he had no 
time or inclination to think of other than the simple, 
plain, uncompromising past and present that was ob- 
vious to any sane thinking person. 

There was one passage of scripture Edah teasingly 
accused him of living by — the one referring to “ man’s 
not being wise above what is written ” — but secretly 
she adored him for it. 

So they conversed in the pleasant intimate way 
habitual to them, literally resting in each other’s love, 
while the thunder rolled more muffled and the light- 
ning flashed less brightly and the rain died into a 
gentle patter making a delightful accompaniment to 
the hum of their low voices. 

Presently even that ceased and he arose to go. 

“ Why don’t you stay with the Johnsons’ — it may 
begin to pour again any minute,” she urged. 

“ According to the old saying, ‘ I’m neither sugar 
nor salt ’ — neither am I afraid, in spite of my subcon- 
scious self,” he added humorously. 

“ Well, what’s the use of getting wet when you don’t 
have to? ” in a half-vexed tone. 

He sobered at once — “ I promised jack I’d be there 
sometime before midnight; — I should have gone long 
ago — you must be dead tired and sleepy after being 
up the greater part of last night.” 

"How did you know I was?” 

“ I met the whole Mellen family — sick kid and all — 
on their way to the circus as I came along. I’ll wager 
anything Net gave that a baby a green apple to eat, so 
she could finish her yellow-back novel in peace ! ” and 
a most disgusted look came over his face. 

“ Yes,” she made answer, smiling at the green- 
apple theory — “ the baby was quite sick from having 
eaten something which did not agree with it. But ” — 
thoughtfully — “ what is one to do ? the poor help- 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


199 

less little victims must not be allowed to suffer if it 
can be helped.” 

“ So long as someone else will do it for her she’ll 
never exert herself to care for it or anything else. I 
really wish you would not waste your strength and rob 
yourself of sleep to help such a woman. Fancy taking 
the poor, pale little thing to the circus ! ” — look and 
tone were almost fierce at the recollection. 

Edah was in sympathy with him, but added lightly, 
“ Well, let’s hope it won’t hurt it. You certainly 
would not condemn two, hard-working people for 
seeking a little harmless entertainment at a circus if 
their tastes happened to lie in that direction — and ” — - 
laughing — “ they could not very well leave the baby 
behind ! ” 

But her companion did not smile — “ 4 Hardworking ’ 
does not apply to Net. I’m no end sorry for Jim, but 
that novel-reading wife of his I’ve no use for. Why, 
do you know when Jim comes home in the evening 
from a long day’s work, he finds the house practically 
as he left it in the morning; — beds not made — dishes 
unwashed and a wife and baby anything but attractive 
looking. He has to help put things in order besides 
getting the greater part of the evening meal, while she 
keeps up a constant complaint and fault-finding. 

“ I would have more sympathy for her if she were 
caught stealing — red-handed in the act. It’s enough 
to drive a man to drink,” he added grimly ; — “ be- 
sides — what thanks do you get from such a person? ” 

Edah felt the force of his words : his faithfully 
drawn picture made her sad, but she only replied to 
his last remark, as she absently gazed toward the 
half-open door. 

“ Oh, as to that — anything in the nature of grati- 
tude or love, why, I simply let it come in the nature of 
a glad surprise,” turning her eyes in an amused way 
into his face. 


200 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


The words had scarcely left her lips when once 
again she saw a great light leap into his eyes — and she 
realized her doom had overtaken her — pay-day had 
come at last. 

The barriers were down! 

The flood-gates wide open! 

The tide was upon her! 

She put out her hand as if to stay the on-coming 
torrent — , but as well might that small hand endeavor 
to stop the waters of the Lachine Rapids in their mad 
rush to the sea! 

The pent-up waters of his love which had been so 
long restrained burst forth in spite of himself or her. 

He caught her outstretched hand in his and im- 
prisoned its mate in a fierce grasp, while he said in 
suppressed tones, trembling with the intensity of his 
feeling 

“If I tell you of my love will it come in the nature 
of a glad surprise? Mrs. Brown! Edah! I have 
known for a long time that you did not wish me to 
say the words I’m speaking! 

“ For some reason unknown to me, you have not 
wished me to tell you of my all-consuming love ! ” 

A low moan broke from Edah’s lips as she listened 
with bowed face in which mingled feeling of distress 
and joy struggled for the mastery. 

“ Yet I’m sure you were not in ignorance of my 
feelings toward you — and I sometimes dared hope my 
love was returned. Edah — dear Edah — look at me 
and tell me you are glad of my love,” and he lifted 
her down-cast face and made her look into his eyes ; — 
intoxicated with what he saw he clasped her to his 
heart — kissing her on brow, cheek and lips. 

The storm, which unknown to them had been gath- 
ering for a fresh outburst, now broke in intensified 
fury — and a swirling gust of wind blew wide the half- 
open door at the same time extinguishing the lamp. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


201 


The sudden noise and darkness startled Edah — 
rousing her to herself. She endeavored to withdraw 
from his arms — but was held a close prisoner while 
the lover whispered words that were sweet for her to 
hear. 

“ Philip ! — Philip ! — I must not ! — you must not ! — ■ 
Oh, I cannot listen to such words ! ” 

“ Why not, dearest, if we love each other? ” he mur- 
mured softly. 

“ Listen, and I will tell you,” she groaned. But 
somehow the words would not come. 

“ Never mind now — another time will do. What I 
want to hear you say is, ‘ Philip, I love you more than 
all the world besides.' Can you not say it ? ” whis- 
pering close in her ear. 

“ Yes, I can say it with all my heart — truthfully, — 
and will say it, if then you will go away and leave me, 
never to return ! ” 

“ Edah, what madness is this ? I leave you ? 
Never! As well ask me to pluck out my two eyes or 
drive a dagger into my heart ! ” 

No, no — the long uncertainty is over and nothing 
but death shall ever part us now ! ” 

And the strong man fought for the great love of his 
life, while the woman struggled against hers and for 
her religious convictions ; — the while the fierce ele- 
ments waged terrific warfare on the outside. 

All unheeded by them the darting, jagged light- 
ning rent the blackness of the night and the thunder 
burst in crashing booms. 

“Forgive me, oh! forgive me, dearest, Philip! I 
have done us both a great, a terrible wrong,” sobbed 
the unhappy woman. “ I did not fully realize — I did 
not dream it would ever be like this ! — and I was so 
happy ! but now ” — 

Then in an almost inaudible whisper came the 
words — “ My husband is living ! ” 


202 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ She felt the involuntary shock that ran through 
his frame — 

“ But you don’t love him, — tell me you don’t love 
him,” in accents of pain. 

“ I hate him ! ” came the words in concentrated in- 
tensity. 

“ Well ” — in almost joyful relief, “ There is noth- 
ing then to alarm us; that is easily fixed — leave it all 
to me.” 

“ But,” said the miserable woman, “ divorce is 
wicked — there is no such thing ! — ‘ till death do you 
part ” — came from her frozen lips. 

The time went unheeded by — he persuading, plead- 
ing, reasoning with all the eloquence and intensity of 
his overmastering love — and she resisting with ever- 
weakening power the answering call of her heart. 

But Unseen Help came to her from out the Vast 
Unknown. 

In a final rally of strength she flung her arms about 
his neck and with cheek against his whispered, “ Philip, 
with my whole heart, I love you ! — more than all the 
world besides ! Go ! — Go ! — and tempt me no more ! ” 

He felt that it was final — and because of his deep, 
unquenchable love for her he respected her wishes. 

Clasping her in a last close embrace his lips met 
hers in a long lingering kiss — another moment and he 
was gone — out into the wild, stormy night. 

She stood as he left her too dazed and stunned to 
think or feel. 

As he faced about to fasten the gate a glare of 
lightning lit up the scene, revealing his white, set 
features and wind-tossed hair. 

Stretching out her hands into the darkness she 
cried, “ Oh, Philip — Philip — what have I done ! ” 

” Come back into this lonely life of mine — I need 
you — I cannot live without you ! ” 

“ I was mad to send you away! ” and she strained 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


203 


her ears to listen but for answer she heard only the 
wild screaming of the wind as it flew by — bending low 
the tall trees, shaking and twisting their branches in 
its fierce delirium. 

Sinking to her knees by the couch she buried her 
face in her arms ; — motionless — but with the agony 
of despair in her heart she knelt while the long mo- 
ments went by. 

She seemed to have lost control of her thoughts 
which leaped from the night-marish past out into the 
conjecturing future — playing with her lacerated feel- 
ings as a cat with a mouse. 

In bitterness she reflected, “ Would James Maxwell 
give up his heart's dearest love because he was bound 
to me?" and she seemed to hear a wild burst of 
mocking laughter — Ha, ha — Ha, ha — Ha, ha-ha-ha ! 

The hideous sound seemed carried on the wind and 
left at her door-saying as it retreated, “ absurd , 
absurd — ha, ha ! " 

Impotent rage filled her breast at thought of him 
who had blighted her life — and at the unfairness of it 

all. 

“ Oh, why is it," she moaned, “ that one is left to 
bear all the grief and suffering while the other one 
goes free? ” 

Distinct as a voice in the far corner of the room 
Edah heard, “ What is that to thee ! follow thou 
Me! ” 

She started in fear! — “ Was it a Voice in the dark- 
ness, or did it come from her inner consciousness?" 

She held her breath to listen but only a baby’s 
childish voice called from the bed-room, “ Wa-wa, 
baby, wa-wa," followed by a little sleepy whine. 

Mechanically she rose in answer to its bidding. As 
she passed Robert’s little bed a flash of lightning 
brightened the room, revealing the sleeping boy 
stretched out in the abandon of youth — his face warm 


204 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


and rosy from his slumbers and his moist curls lying 
back from the face which looked so like that other 
one. 

A revulsion of feeling swept over her rendering her 
almost ill ; — that moment she hated her boy ! 

She passed on to Mildred’s cot and almost uncon- 
scious of what she was doing gave the child its drink 
and from force of habit knelt by her side and patted 
the little one back to sleep. 

The old familiar action had the effect of somewhat 
calming the fierce tumult within ; — that brief lull only 
making way for a flood-tide of remorse to overwhelm 
her. 

“ What had she done — what had she done ! ! She 
had hated her boy !!” 

Going swiftly back to the sleeping child she flung 
herself on her knees by his side calling him all the 
endearing names her mother-heart could conjure 
up ; 

“ Robert — Robert — mothey’s heart’s dearest idol — 
wake up ! ” 

“ Mothey did not mean it, you know she didn’t 
mean it. Oh, tell her that you forgive her — that you 
still love her ! ” 

“ Mothey was mad — was crazy with grief, or she 
never could have thought it.” 

“ Wake up, — wake up ! Mothey does love you ! 
she wants to tell you so ! ” 

And she drew the sleeping boy to her heart, kissing 
his face and neck and rounded arms — her tears fall- 
ing in a blinding shower. 

But the heavy sleep of childhood was hard to rouse. 
She put first one small, unresisting arm about her 
neck and then the other, saying, “Wake up — wake 
up, Robert, dearest, — tell mothey you love her! ” 

Her agonized coaxings and pleadings had 
their reward. The tired eyes half opened, the lips 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 205 

gently parted and softly, — sweetly — came the word 
“ mothey.” 

It was enough. 

With heart-breaking sobs she laid the little fellow 
back on his pillow and threw herself on her own bed 
to weep, till worn and exhausted she fell into a trou- 
bled sleep as the chickens were crowing for the morn. 

She was wakened by Robert’s touch and cry of, 
“ Mothey, mothey, wake up ! ” 

She opened her eyes and smiled reassuringly at 
him and started to rise, but fell back on her pillow as 
an involuntary groan escaped her lips. 

A splitting, nauseating headache had succeeded her 
anguish of the preceding hours. 

Her white face and swollen eyes frightened the 
child and he began crying. 

“ Mothey doesn’t feel well, but she’ll be all right 
soon,” patting the dear hand; — “get dressed and ask 
Mrs. Johnson if she can come over for a little while.” 

That lady came and took the children home with 
her — saying before she went — “ I’ll telephone for 
Marie ! ” 

“ Please don’t — I’ll sleep this off and soon be all 
right.” 

She did sleep and felt some better — able to crawl 
out to the lounge in the living-room later in the day, 
where she lay too miserable to think. 

The sound of a man’s step outside almost made her 
heart stop beating although she knew it was not 
Philip’s : — she had listened for that too many times to 
be mistaken. 

In response to her, “Come” — Jack Moore entered 
the room. 

He involuntarily started at sight of her — then awk- 
wardly recovering himself 

“ Excuse me — I did not know you were sick.” 

“ I have a bad headache ; sit down, won’t you ? ” 


206 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


her pulses quickening for she knew he came with a 
message from Philip. 

“ No, thank you — Philip asked me to bring this/’ 

She was so agitated she could scarcely hold the let- 
ter which he put into her hand. 

The kind, honest fellow was full of heartfelt sym- 
pathy but he could think of nothing to say. Philip 
had not taken him into his confidence ; — but he sup- 
posed there had been a quarrel “ which would soon 
pass over ” — he hoped. He could not believe any 
woman in her senses would “ turn Philip down.” 

“ Is he, — is he waiting for a reply?” she stam- 
mered. 

“ No, he said I need not wait for one,” adding as 
he eurned to leave — “ he went back home this morn- 
ing.” 

Edah did not know whether she was most relieved 
or most sorry at his words. 

She did not see how she could ever have read those 
sacred lines with Jack’s eyes upon her; and yet no 
reply being needed, she felt a forlorn hope die out 
of her heart. 

She steadied her voice to say, “ It was so good of 
you; — thank you very much.” 

“ Don’t thank me — you know it’s a real pleasure 
for me to do anything for Philip or you,” and he was 
gone. 

Remembering his friend’s “ cut-up ” appearance and 
seeing Edah’s white, sick face he soliloquized as he 
descended the steps, “ it must be pretty bad.” 

When she heard the gate click and knew there was 
no possibility of his return she broke the seal of her 
letter and read 


Sunday Morning. 

My Dearly Beloved Edah : 

This is only a word of farewell. I wish to say 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


207 


what I did not seem to think of last evening. I want 
your promise to call on me if conditions are ever 
changed so that our earthly happiness may be com- 
plete. My attitude in life will be one of listening • 

Yours till death, 

Philip. 

Sunday Afternoon. 

Dearest, Dearest Philip: 

I give you my promise that if ever I am released 
from this horrible bondage you shall hear from me 
with the speed of the lightning. May God hasten the 
day ! 

If we cannot now be one in joy and happiness we 
can and will be one in grief and sorrow. 

Forgive — forgive — dear Philip, 

Your lonely, heart-broken, 

Edah. 

The habit of her mind was too religious for her not 
to feel compunctions at wishing even James Maxwell 
dead. So she crossed out the words but left them 
standing: she would let Philip know she had been 
wicked enough to wish it. 


208 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER XVII. 

The soft breezes of an early September day, which 
was neither too warm nor yet too cool, gently stirred 
the beautiful draperies of the open windows in the 
Bramhall’s attractive breakfast-room. 

The table was laid for their late Sunday morning 
meal, in the center of which a bowl of brilliant, 
freshly-cut nasturtiums lent their cheerfulness ; and a 
large vase of the same lively blossoms adorned a dis- 
tant corner of the room. 

As Mrs. Bramhall took her place before the silver 
coffee urn she turned to her daughter — “ Marjory, did 
you forget to go for your Uncle James? ” 

“ No, Mamma, I did not forget but Ellen was 
helping me with my Sunday-school lesson. Shall I 
go now? ” already starting on her errand. 

At that moment the gentleman in question en- 
tered — 

“Now, Marjory, see what you've done!” — mak- 
ing his morning salutations — “ You’ve made your 
uncle late to breakfast ! ” gently pulling a long golden 
curl as he passed to his seat at her side. “ I was wait- 
ing for you to fetch me ! ” 

His sister laughed interrogatively. 

“ I was busy with my Sunday-school lesson,” said 
the child, seriously. 

“ I don’t believe you can say the golden-text ” — 
let’s hear.” 

“ Yes, I can! ” and with some stumbling and a little 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 209 

assistance from her mother she got through all right. 

“ I do know it, don’t I ? ” triumphantly. 

“To be sure you do,” and James Maxwell gave his 
niece an indulgent smile and pressed her plump little 
hand to his lips. 

After a little desultory talk between the two men 
his sister said, “ Virginia called up last evening and 
said Dr. Blank was in the city and was going to 
speak at our church this morning, don’t you want to 
go with me, Addison doesn’t care to go? ” 

“ I’m just dying to — you know! But how comes it 
Virginia seems to be so well informed? — I did not 
know she had such an absorbing interest in church 
affairs.” 

“ Now, James, why will you always persist in mis- 
understanding Virginia? This was not an ‘absorb- 
ing interest/ although she is a dear, good Christian 
girl. I called up to ask her to dine with us to-day. 
She said she was sorry she couldn’t come as they had 
out-of-town guests and it was through them she heard 
of Dr. Blank’s appointment to preach.” 

He understood her pet scheme in relation to him- 
self and Virginia Wellborne and he also knew it was 
a hopeless little romance on her part. 

He was always sorry to disappoint his sister when 
it could be avoided so he hastened to say 

“ It’s all right, Cis, — I’ll go if you like ” — but in- 
wardly h£ made a wry face. 

It was quite late when they entered the church. In- 
stead of Dr. Blank a fresh-faced, comely-looking 
young man occupied the pulpit and was already 
launched on his theme which they soon discovered to 
be relative to Sunday-school work and bristling with 
statistics. 

What James Maxwell ever came to hear had to be 
said in forceful terms of invincible logic or in silvery, 
musical, poetical cadences of tender love and hope. 


210 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Mrs. Bramhall did not dare look at her brother — he 
seemed to emanate disgust. She resigned herself to 
an hour’s boredom and let her thoughts flit out in any 
and every direction. 

His thoughts too, were roaming at random and he 
only heard an occasional punctuating word : but pres- 
ently something fell on his ear which had the effect 
of rousing him most completely. 

The speaker was saying, “If you will excuse the 
digression, I should like to tell you of something 
which made a most profound impression upon me. 

“ As I was visiting a small town in the west on my 
itinerary, early in the summer, I came across an ex- 
ample of simon-pure Christianity in the person of a 
young woman who is so loved in the community in 
which she lives that rich and poor alike cannot say 
too much of her self-sacrificing labors among them. 

“ There is a whisper of an unfortunate tragedy be- 
fore she came — a stranger — among them; — that her 
present life is one of atonement. 

“ Whatever of truth there may be in the rumor, it 
only makes her deeds shine out with greater luster. 

“ Besides her own beautiful boy, she has taken two 
babies to care for after nursing the mother in her last 
illness. 

“ She must be a person of some means for she 
herself employs a nurse to help her with the sick 
among the poor who are unable to pay for such serv- 
ices. 

“ Yet one would not suspect it. 

“ I was permitted to visit her in her home and found 
her living a life of the greatest simplicity — her own 
hands doing even the most menial work. 

“ The cheerfulness and happiness radiating from 
that center might well be envied in many a palatial 
home. 

“ And I thought as I went from her little dwelling, 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


21 1 


of the words of our Saviour — ‘ She hath done what 
she could.' 

“ And I began to question myself, ‘ could that be 
said of me? can it be said of you? ’ 

“ How many are there among us who are doing all 
they can in obedience to the Divine Commands and 
to hasten that ‘ great day of our Lord? , ” 

The speaker went back to his theme and statistics — 
but James Maxwell did not go back to his abstrac- 
tion. 

Something within him forced the conviction that 
the speaker was referring to no other than Edah. 
He called himself a “ fool ” to think such a thing — 
“ weak,” — “ sentimental ” — “ afflicted with megrims! ” 
“ the world was large and there were many young 
women in it ! ” 

But it made him unsettled. 

Since that chance meeting a year and a half ago 
there were times when he could not get her and her 
beautiful boy out of his thoughts. 

He left the church with his sister, thoroughly per- 
turbed and absorbed and came near failing to see Vir- 


ginia — would have done so had it not been for his 
sister's timely warning — a whispered “ there’s Vir- 
ginia ” — as she passed with her friends on the way to 
her waiting car. 

He handed his sister into their machine — seated 
himself by her side and crossed his arms over his 
breast in his most “ formidable and unapproachable 
attitude,” according to his sister. 

Aimee herself nodded gaily to her friends while the 
car was slowly making its passage through the many 
vehicles. 

As they sped along the smooth boulevard in the 
delightful September sunshine she sniffed the warm 
air and thoroughly enjoyed living. But she loved to 
chat with someone — most of all with her brother — 


212 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


so she remarked tentatively — “ he was quite in earnest 
and full of his subject and not so bad looking either.” 

“ I dislike so much juvenility in the pulpit! What 
does he know ? ” 

“ Well,” lightly, “ he seemed to have plenty of sta- 
tistics to bear him out, besides, I think, perhaps, he’s 
older than he looks.” 

She could not have hit upon a more unfortunate 
remark. 

James Maxwell in his self-communings had made 
the startling discovery that he was actually jealous of 
the good-looking young theologian in spite of all the 
uncertainty ! 

He never dreamed that he — man of the world that 
he was, who had always been able to love or let it 
alone according to the dictates of his will — could ever 
come to a time when he found himself enthralled and 
quite without the pale of his judicial restraint. 

In silence they finished their ride. 

Later in the day he was closeted in his office for 
some time with a harmless-looking man who had 
brown hair and mustache and wore a business suit of 
gray. 

That evening the young minister was waited upon 
by a man in a suit of gray who had “ been so inter- 
ested in his discourse that morning ! ” 

When the same individual left at the close of the 
interview he was in possession of the general outline 
of the young minister’s travels during the past sum- 
mer and also the possessor of many valuable details 
as well. 

There were sounds of loud and continued wailing 
issuing from Castle Industrie. 

The good, kind neighbor, whose heart reached out 
in tender sympathy for the beloved mispress in her 
unspoken grief, hurried over from her own kitchen. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


213 


Upon her entrance the loud crying ceased for the 
moment, while both children turned to look at the 
newcomer, giving Edah a chance to say, “ Did you 
hear the soiree, you dear Swedish Angel of Mercy? 
you are just in time,” putting Mildred into her arms, 
wrapped in the bath towel to be polished off. 

Robert was holding up a bleeding finger and begin- 
ning to cry afresh. 

“ Come now, mothey will fix it : It isn’t so very 
bad,” leading the child into the bath-room. As the 
blood was washed away and the cut hidden from sight 
he gradually quieted down. 

Mildred too, finding there was nothing she really 
had to cry about became quite calm and tranquil. 

“ I do not want you to get your finger wet, so 
mothey’ll finish washing the dishes when Mildred is 
in bed.” 

Lighting the lamp on the table in the sitting-room 
she left Robert to amuse himself while she carried 
Mildred off for the night. 

Mrs. Johnson meanwhile completing Robert’s un- 
finished task. 

Edah’s perception was not quite so keen as usual 
these days — her eyes not so quick to notice or she 
might have guessed there was something on her 
neighbor’s mind. 

The fact was Lena Johnson had been hesitating 
about speaking to her of a strange man with a brown 
mustache, wearing a suit of gray, who had stopped at 
her side gate a few days previous and talked some 
little time with Robert. 

She knew Edah would have wished her to tell, but 
she couldn’t bear to add a grain of worry to her sor- 
rowing friend — besides she hoped Robert had done 
so. So she simply redoubled her own vigilance and 
remained silent. 

The incident had escaped the child’s mind — in fact 


214 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


it had made no impression for he often talked to 
passers-by from his perch on the side-gate post. 

The detective, for such it was, had been given in- 
structions to find a “ tall woman with fresh, rich col- 
oring, brown eyes and indescribable hair of gold and 
brown, etc., etc.” 

When he saw the lad he had a great light and 
thought to himself, “ why interview the lady? he was 
in possession of facts of which Mr. Maxwell had 
been serangely reticent ! ” 

When Mrs. Johnson started to 

leave, Edah followed her to the door, her eyes full of 
the gratitude she could not speak, and she patted her 
friend's cheek in an affectionate way she often had of 
doing by way of thanks. 

Mrs. Johnson called back over her shoulder as she 
stepped out into the dark — “ If you need me, I come.” 

Her neighbor had said that several times lately, 
but she thought it was only another way of expressing 
her sympathy. 

She had only been gone a few minutes when she 
returned with her big dinner-bell which she used to 
summon her husband to his meals. 

“ I brang this,” — lapsing as she sometimes did in 
her speech — setting the bell down on the dining-room 
table. 

When she had again departed, Edah, wondering a 
little over the incident, sat down by her boy for their 
half-hour together. 

Sometimes she read aloud to him, or there was a 
lesson, or they just simply talked — had their tender 
little confidences. 

He persistently asked, “ why Philip did not come.” 

“ Isn't this Saturday night, and won't Philip soon 
come ? ” or 

“ I want to show him the box I'm making — I be- 
lieve he’ll think it's good ! ” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


215 


“ Will he come to-morrow, mothey ? ” 

Edah thought she would go wild if Philip were the 
topic of conversation this evening. 

She was tired — the day had been a busy one : be- 
sides the regular duties she had been attending to some 
fall matters — getting things ready for winter and 
since Philip had gone out of her life everything 
seemed burdensome. 

“ Come now, Robert,” as the clock struck the hour, 
“ Pm going to help you with your bath so you won't 
get your finger wet.” 

Although he very much preferred, ordinarily, to do 
it himself he was glad of the offer this evening. 

When the last affectionate good-night had been 
said she took off her large apron and hung it in the 
bath-room as she passed through, and came out into 
her lonely living-room, standing some moments ab- 
stractedly beside her work-table. 

Although well on in September, the day had been 
warm and she wore one of the one-piece white 
dresses Philip had liked : the elbow sleeves made it 
convenient when bathing the children. 

This was the hour in all the day she found hardest 
to get through and she dreaded its nightly reappear- 
ance. 

Rousing herself she resolutely drew the work- 
basket toward the front of her table, opened her 
“ Longfellow ” at the place and used one of Mildred’s 
little shoes as a marker. 

She had gotten into the way since Philip had gone 
out of her life, of committing to memory some choice 
bit of poetry from one of her favorite authors — partly 
to fill in the time — but more so as not to think. 

To-night she chose 

" Come to me, O ye children ! 

And whisper in my ear 


2 16 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


What the birds and the winds are singing 
In your sunny atmosphere. 

Ye are better than all the ballads 
That ever were sung or said; 

For ye are living poems 
And all the rest are dead.” 

Still reluctant she stood — motionless — a paralyzing 
inertia was upon her; then dropping into her low 
chair — Robert not being there to see — she buried her 
face in her two hands and tearless, let the full tide 
of her misery sweep over her. 

The sound of a step on the gravel startled her; — 
her hands dropped into her lap — “ Oh, how can I go 
anywhere to-night ! ” as she rose to answer the firm 
knock. 

’Twas no messenger to enlist her sympathy and 
service in behalf of the sick that conf ronted her ! 

She stood face to face with — James Maxwell!! 

She fell back a step and grasped the back of a chair 
for support — pale and trembling, wide-eyed with fear. 

He had seen her through the window as he passed 
up the walk, in her attitude of sorrowful dejection and 
it had touched his heart. 

In a voice tense with feeling, “ Do not be alarmed, 
Mrs. Brown — my errand is a peaceful one/’ asking as 
he stepped inside, “ may I come in?” 

At the sound of that voice, the blood bounded back 
into her veins and forty furies strained at their leashes 
within her. 

All the wrong and suffering she had endured at his 
hand, at sight of him formed an alchemy in her soul 
producing intensest hate. 

With flashing eyes her gaze met his but her com- 
pressed lips remained silent. 

He walked to the table and laid his hat down, then 
turning drew Edalrs low rocker over to her side ask- 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 217 

in g her to be seated and placed a chair for himself 
opposite. 

She sat down as he requested, feeling too weak to 
remain standing and waited for him to speak. 

The silence grew oppressive. 

Unable to bear it longer she said in low, concen- 
trated hatred, “May I inquire why this honor?” 

“ I came on a matter of business and I trust you 
will pardon the intrusion.” 

Her hands spasmodically clenched, while she in- 
wardly resolved that only over her dead body should 
he ever get Robert. 

He paused — finding it difficult to proceed in the face 
of her outraged manner. 

Presently rising he began pacing back and forth 
the length of the room 

“ The truth of the matter is, I have come to make 
you a proposition of marriage,” pausing in front of 
her. 

If a bomb had suddenly exploded beneath her she 
could not have been more surprised. 

Continuing his walk — “ Mrs. Brown, since the day 
I made my confession to you in Biloxi, I have suf- 
fered the tortures of the damned and I wish to make 
what tardy reparation I can for the great wrong 
done you.” 

She waited so long before replying that he broke 
the silence by repeating, “ Mrs. Brown — I ask you to 
be my wife.” 

To her dying day Edah never knew what made her 
say, “ I should think your sister would be delighted 
to welcome me into the family ! ” 

She had scarcely ceased speaking ere she was 
sorry. 

Never in all her sufferings had she since thought 
of those bitter words, look and tone Mrs. Bramhall 
had used that awful night in which she was told to 


2 18 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Go ! " — they had lain hidden away under more vital 
sorrows, regrets, insults — to spring unbidden into the 
present. 

“ My sister — but never mind, — we are not speaking 
of her/’ 

The hard, bitter look went out of Edah's face — it 
was a stranger there, did not belong — and the sorrow- 
ful, hopeless expression she had worn since Philip 
went, came back instead. 

“ Mr. Maxwell,'' with the pathetic little droop to 
her mouth he remembered so well, “ I would like to 
withdraw that remark; will you please consider it 
unsaid? ” 

He had an almost overmastering desire to clasp her 
in his arms, but he only bowed his head — inwardly 
wondering at the change. 

“ In reply to your question, I thank you for your 
consideration — your generous magnanimity !” — the 
fierce look coming back into her eyes — “ but there are 
insuperable barriers to a compliance with your re- 
quest." 

She noted a fleeting expression pass over his face, 
whether of relief or disappointment she could not 
say — his face seemed so inscrutable at times — besides 
she was much too excited to be a very close observer. 

“ Is there — Mrs. Brown, may I ask if you are mar- 
ried? ” and involuntarily his eyes glanced at the open 
door of the bed-room as if expecting to see a man 
emerge from within. 

Edah shook her head by way of reply. 

He sat waiting for her to proceed, with his arms 
folded across his breast looking at her with a fixed 
and steady gaze which she found most uncomfortable, 
indeed. 

She could not think what she had to say — what she 
must say — with those keen eyes trying to pierce her 
inmost soul. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


219 

Never had she been so glad to hear Mildred’s little 
wail ! 

As she knelt by the child’s small cot, humming their 
sleepy song and gently patting her, she had time to 
somewhat tranquilize herself and arrange her thoughts. 
For she realized fully the critical situation which con- 
fronted her. 

During her absence James Maxwell glanced about 
the room — surprised at what he saw and realizing 
more than ever how different she was from other 
women whom he knew. 

The room was attractive in its simple appoint- 
ments — cheerful, cosy and comfortable. There were 
the many windows with their fresh muslin curtains 
looped back to give light to the pots of growing plants 
in brackets by their sides — the roomy lounge with its 
bright covering and inviting pillows ; the woven rag 
rugs of harmonious shades, partially covering the lino- 
leum floor — but above all the group of framed illu- 
minated thoughts — made the place distinctive, un- 
usual, and seemed a very part of Edah herself. 

He noted the shelves containing works of her favor- 
ite authors and the open book on the table with the 
small shoe resting on the page — the mechanical toys 
evidently belonging to his boy — with the work-basket 
of the mistress sitting conveniently near. 

The low humming ceased, and the scrutiny of in- 
spection as well, and the couple returned to their re- 
spective places ; only Edah took up some sewing and 
gave hands as well as eyes something to do while she 
said the things that must be said. 

“ Will you kindly tell me what you mean by there 
being “ insuperable barriers ?'” 

“ Mr. Maxwell, you have made me an honorable, 
straightforward proposition and I will do the best I 
can to speak plainly, candidly and honestly in reply.’' 

She brushed one hand across her eyes as if to see 


220 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


more clearly then went on — “ By all the laws of right- 
eousness, which I strive to make the law of my life — 
you are already my husband/' 

He gave a start of surprise which even his long 
schooling could not prevent while “ Edah ! ” broke 
from his astonished lips in low vibrant tones as he 
made a gesture toward her — reaching out his hand. 

She drew away from him but the interruption con- 
fused her. 

Recovering — “ but I do not think for one moment 
that I am your wife. So under no consideration other 
than this can we ever be re-united. 

Return to your earlier wives and make the same 
offer — beginning with the first, your only real wife — • 
you have just made me. 

If all are since married, or no one will live with 
you — you may then return to me." 

He sprang from his chair electrified! — horrified! — 
and the words “ monstrous ! ! " — “ indecent ! ” — came 
to his lips but died away unspoken; — for with a sud- 
den and great illumination he realized they might 
equally well be applied to himself. 

But he was angry — angry to a white heat! 

“ Mrs. Brown — no one has ever dared to speak to 

me like this before! If you were a man !! " but 

he did not finish — he could no longer control his 
voice. 

He continued his rapid walk for a time in silence — 
while she made a pretense of sewing with hands that 
trembled so she could scarcely hold her needle. 

He broke the silence saying in a sneering, cutting 
tone, “ and may I ask where you received your infor- 
mation? or is it only a way to force a confession? 

By God ! I’ve never made anyone my father con- 
fessor, — save once, more fool I, — and I’ll not begin 
now ! ” 

She had thrown a shell into the enemy's camp and 
the explosion was not unexpected. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


22 1 


She stood by her guns with as much composure as 
she could command. 

After his second violent outbreak James Maxwell 
stepped outside in the cool night air. 

Relieved of his presence she rose and passed into 
the dining-room — her eyes fell on the bell, and a 
flash of meaning connected it with her evening visitor. 

Always that fear for Robert, came stronger than 
ever to her mind, and her pulses almost stopped beat- 
ing as she thought, “ was this a trick to engage her at- 
tention while some accomplice entered the window 
and stole her boy? ” 

She fled through the bath into the bed-room as fleet 
of foot as a deer, only to find him calmly, peacefully 
sleeping. 

When she returned to the living-room James Max- 
well was standing there, — a self-contained man of the 
world once more, — a power of reserve-force making 
itself felt in his every attitude and motion. 

Very courteously and quite matter of fact, “ Mrs. 
Brown may I take the liberty of going in to see our — 
your boy before I leave? ” 

She was startled — quite taken aback by this sudden 
change. 

She only gave a silent bow — moving swiftly in the 
direction of the dining-room, as he disappeared from 
sight to be in easy access of the bell if it were needed. 

She heard him move across the room and she un- 
derstood he had gone to fetch the small glow-lamp 
which stood on a stand in the far end of the room. 

Several minutes passed while she stood in breath- 
less suspense — then she heard him retrace his steps — 
probably replacing the light, before he emerged from 
the room. 

Taking up his hat he gave her a very formal, re- 
spectful bow and disappeared into the night. 

She turned the key in the door and fell on her 


222 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


knees beside the couch — weak and trembling from 
the interview and buried her face in the pillows while 
a thankful, “ Saved ! — Saved ! " floated on high. 

When she arose she felt almost lighthearted ; — too 
relieved to even wonder where he came from — how 
he found her out — or anything else — only that she was 
saved ! 

With her gratitude something took definite shape 
which before had been only hazy and undefined in 
her brooding, grief-stricken mind. 

But the interview had left her nervous and agitated 
and her sleep that night was fitful ; — ' twas a series of 
dozings and wakings ; — starting up into a sitting pos- 
ture at the end of each little cat-nap to see if Robert 
were still there. 

The next morning she carried the bell home to her 
neighbor's, saying, “ I did not have to use it, you see." 

She thought in this way to prepare an opening for 
Lena Johnson to tell what led up to her uneasiness in 
regard to herself and Robert. 

“ It had something to do with her visitor of last 
night that she was sure," and she began to grow ex- 
tremely curious in regard to it. 

“ I tank you better keep it." 

“ Why, Lena, you are not usually so nervous — has 
anything happened to rouse your fears?" 

Then the story came out ending with, “ you feel so 
bad I did not like to make you worry." 

“ It is all right " — putting her arm about her friend, 
“ but we will both be on the watch — be sure and tell 
me if you see anything more." 

“ My old man say a buggy stood out by our side 
gate about an hour last night — and I was scared." 

“ Yes," said the young woman, “ I had a caller, a 
man from out of town," and no more was said about it. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


22 3 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

The following Sunday as Edah was putting the 
finishing touches to their dinner Robert shouted from 
the window of the living-room, “ Mothey — here comes 
Marie! ” and ran outside to meet her. 

He gave her a noisy welcome, which pleased the 
lady very much for she had grown immensely fond 
of him which feeling was fully reciprocated by the 
child. 

It usually is : love begets love with children and 
sometimes with grown-ups too. 

Edah called from the dining-room, “ We’re all glad — 
have off your things — dinner is just ready. Come, 
Robert, bring up a chair for Marie and fill the 
glasses ” — while she added the extra plate, knife, fork, 
spoon, etc. ; then putting Mildred into her high chair 
by her side they all gathered about the table, talking 
pleasantly together along lines in which Robert could 
have a part. 

After the dinner things were cleared away Robert 
carried Marie off to his work-shop to show her a tiny 
little sled he had been struggling with under Eric’s 
supervision. 

“ I think Philip will like it — don’t you? ” queried the 
child. 

“ I’m sure he will ; ” wondering for the hundredth 
time why it was the young man’s visits had ceased — 
and feeling so sorry for her friend whom she could 
plainly see was so sad and dismal. 


224 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Em going to visit now with mothey but I’ll come 
and say good-bye before I go.” 

These visits between the nurse and Edah had come 
to be very much enjoyed by both and a bond of ten- 
der sympathy had grown up between them. 

Marie was willing to accept as much of Edah’s 
self as she felt disposed to give — did not ask or ex- 
pect confidences and Edah in return loved her because 
she was willing to do that very thing. 

While they talked intimately of her work — every 
detail of which was of deep interest to Edah — there 
was never any mention made of “ Cases.” 

On the first occasion Edah had quickly asked, “ Did 
you say Johnny Burke has measles?” Somehow 
since her nursing days she had a prejudice against 
the word. 

Marie was quick to “ catch on ” and there was 
never any more “ cases ” discussed, — although very 
often the latter sought her friend’s advice and counsel 
and often many a vigil was shared by Edah in stress- 
ful, critical times when it was so she could leave her 
home. 

As they sat together on the steps of the little pi- 
azza in the soft, September air — forming an artifi- 
cial barrier between Mildred, who was running about, 
and too unlimited freedom — Edah said, “ You have 
been so busy lately, I think you need a rest ” — smil- 
ing a little — “ and I’m going to propose your coming 
to spend a few days with us; — I’m not altogether dis- 
interested as you will see as I proceed.” 

“ I shall like it you may be sure — not that I’m un- 
duly tired — and if there is anything I can do — ” 

“ Yes, that’s it; Robert and I are going away for 
two or three days and I should like to leave Mildred 
with you. The object of our trip is a profound secret 
— do you mind? ” and Edah smiled inquiringly — 
“ I’m not even telling Lena Johnson,” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 225 

“ All right/' laughed Marie, “ secrets are always 
interesting even when I'm on the outside." 

So it was arranged she was to come the next day 
but one. 

Robert was in a state of excitement when told an 
hour before traintime of his mother’s intentions re- 
garding himself. 

When Eric drove the wagon around in front of the 
house the whole family stood outside to witness the 
departure. 

Many a journey around the world has been taken 
with less of interest — concern — attending its begin- 
ning. 

It was such a rare thing for Edah to be away from 
her little home— never on social visits and for enter- 
tainment — seldom even going to the village to make 
her simple purchases — her wants being few and small 
and often attended to through her kind friends or 
over the neighborhood telephone. 

Robert ran gleefully out and climbed into the wait- 
ing wagon all by himself, Lena Johnson following 
with the traveling bag. 

Edah took baby Mildred from Marie's arms — “ You 
don't know how I hate to leave the dear, little midget 
even for a day or two," kissing the child fondly. 

With a final squeeze she handed the child back to 
Marie and bidding the two women good-bye took her 
seat beside Robert and they were off. 

“ She seems more like herself than for weeks," 
said Marie as they went back into the house together 
and both women were glad. 

Edah enjoyed the trip because of the delight Rob- 
ert took in everything he saw — and his bright, spark- 
ling, wide-open eyes did not miss many things. 

The couple were the objects of much notice from 
their fellow-travelers, as was always the case when 
they were abroad together. 


226 


THE STORY OE EDAH. 


After the few hours' journey they landed in the 
great city, the sights and sounds of which recalled to 
Robert's mind many incidents of their visit there a 
year and a half-ago and which he so interestedly 
chatted about to his mother's amused delight. 

It was too late to attend to the business which had 
called her thither that day, but early the next morn- 
ing they took a cab and drove to the nearest orphan 
asylum. 

Upon making known her errand she was shown 
into a great room where there were little babies and 
big babies, fat babies and lean — fair ones and homely ; 
some sad-eyed and forlorn looking — others not so 
much so, but they all appealed to Edah : and as she 
gazed about her at the pathetic little faces, heart- 
hungry for mother love, she longed for the great 
army of semi-young women, — whom men had sen- 
tenced to spinsterhood, — to look upon what she at that 
moment saw. 

Each were so sadly in need of the other — and the 
thing that stood between must be that of which her 
friend had so often spoken — “ the economic independ- 
ence which women lacked." 

Presently her eye caught sight of one that really 
almost made her sick with pity. 

“ Oh ! — is it ill ? " as she noted the unhealthy color, 
domey head, bulging forehead, weazened features, 
pale blue eyes, pinched nose and thin puckered lips. 

They walked closer to the cot on which it lay and 
the nurse turned back the covering and Edah saw 
that the little limbs had taken the shape of the chair 
in which his young life had been spent! 

She caught her breath with a half sob — “ Oh-h ! " 

“ Yes, it is pitiful. The mother, a widow by de- 
sertion, died a couple of days ago and little Billy 
was brought here. There were two or three other 
children but they were older." 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 227 

“ I want to take this one,” with tears standing in 
her eyes. 

The nurse looked at the handsome boy by her side 
and marveled, but she only said, “ the doctor took 
measurements this morning to have some braces 
made ” — 

“ Well,” interrupting, “ they can be sent later, can’t 
they?” mentally resolving that the manipulation of 
her own two hands would be brought more often into 
requisition than any painful braces. 

When all the formalities and preliminaries had 
been attended to Robert and Edah found themselves 
on their return trip with the little, crippled, sixteen- 
months’ old Baby Billy with them. 

“ We will love him hard — hard — won’t we Robert? 
— because we haven’t any Danny now — and he is such 
a poor, dear fellow who cannot straighten out his 
legs nor walk.” 

The spring wagon and Mr. Johnson were at the sta- 
tion to meet them when the train stopped and the 
child was even more glad to return than he had been 
to leave and his joy at sight of his friend pleased that 
individual overmuch — but it was not his way to show 
his feelings and one unacquainted with him might 
not have guessed how much of pleasure he exper- 
ienced at the boy’s return. 

But Edah knew the quiet, taciturn man and under- 
stood. 

“ See my new baby, Mr. Johnson,” as she held the 
soundly sleeping child in her arms for his inspection; 
— “ will you please hold him while I get in? ” 

Her two friends understood the “ secret ” when 
they saw Edah riding up to the gate with a baby in 
her arms. 

“ Look ! Marie — Lena — did you ever see anything 
more pathetic ? ” handing the sleeping child to the 
nurse while she decended and gave an assisting hand 


228 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


to Robert : and as she laid the baby on the lounge she 
threw aside the covering and drew up the little dress 
exposing the crippled legs. 

“ Poor tang ! ” 

“ Oh, Mrs. Brown ! Do you think they can ever 
be straightened ? ” 

“ I think so — hope so, — but it will take time and 
work.” 

And true enough work there was plenty. 

He was a quiet, patient little thing — having had a 
long, severe course of training in those virtues, in 
which he learned to accept whatever was given or 
withheld in the way of care and attention. 

It was most pathetic to Edah to see this dull ac- 
quiescence and almost imbecile manner. 

Many — many times a day were those stiffened 
knees rubbed and an effort made to bend them, which 
was not only torture to the little patient, but sym- 
pathetic suffering to the manipulator as well. 

Her days were so busy there was no time in which 
to think of her sorrow — no time for brooding and 
grieving — but when evening came and quiet settled 
over the house, tired though she was — her loneliness 
and desolation would sweep over her. 

Everything spoke of Philip and happier evenings. 

The season of thankful joy over her deliverance 
from a terrible fate had passed and the sorrowing 
and longing for Philip had returned with augmented 
force. 

“ Mrs. Johnson,” said Edah, looking in upon her 
neighbor a few mornings after her return, “ I’m ex- 
pecting a small express package, do you think you 
could find time to look after my little flock while I 
walk to the village and back ? ” 

“ Yes, I’ll come right over.” 

Edah hastened along — heavy-hearted but swift of 
foot: time was a valuable asset these days. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


229 

She arrived at the small station as the belated 
morning express came thundering in. 

She stepped inside the unattractive little waiting- 
room, now quite deserted, and stood waiting till the 
one factotum in the express-telegraph office should 
have been through with the few moments of confu- 
sion and bustle attendant upon the train’s arrival. 

As the panting, quivering engine came to a full 
stop, two men alighted : one swung lightly from the 
day coach near the station door while the other 
emerged from a pullman further down the track. 

The latter had some baggage he was arranging for 
with the waiting driver of the one express wagon the 
town afforded. 

The man without any impedimenta gave a quick 
glance up and down the platform and with long, 
swinging strides crossed over and entered the dingy 
waiting-room. 

“ Edah ! ” 

“ Philip ! ” 

The next moment, with cap under his arm he was 
holding her two hands in his ; both too excited — over- 
joyed to say more — they stood silently gazing into 
each other’s eyes. 

At this juncture, the other traveler, having dis- 
posed of his luggage came forward to send a tele- 
gram. 

He did not get beyond the door, for there, standing 
some distance back into the room and opposite him, 
he saw the woman he had come to love above every- 
one else, giving to another the looks he craved for 
himself. 

These two were quite oblivious of him — of the 
whole world — and he contrasted in his mind a vision 
of the self-contained — sad — dispirited-looking woman 
he had so recently seen, with this transformed being, 
who radiated joy and happiness from every feature. 


230 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


To her companion he gave only a fleeting glance of 
scorn. 

As the two began talking in low tones he retreated — 
carrying with him a picture on his mental retina that 
was destined to be very lasting. 

“Oh, Philip! you are ill!" recovering from her 
first, glad, speechless surprise. 

“ Sick for sight of you — dearest," reading also in 
her face the marks of suffering. 

“ I did not expect this " he went on ; “ it is the first 
time Eve been here since — July. I’m leaving on the 
other line at two, for Brander, where I’m on a job." 

After a moment’s pause he added huskily, “ it has 
been a long time." 

With a great longing, entreating look in his tender 
eyes — “tell me — Edah — is there — may I not hope?" 

His tones thrilled her through and through and she 
lowered her eyes before his pleading gaze as she 
mournfully shook her head, saying in tones of despair — 
“ I’m without hope myself." 

They were silent again, as the sad words echoed and 
re-echoed through their hearts. 

Presently she lifted her brimming eyes to his and 
in an unsteady voice asked, “ Do you — can you for- 
give me dearest, Philip, for all this pain and suffering? 

* — I now see and understand wherein I have done a 
great wrong to you as well as to myself : but it is the 
year of my life that will ever stand out in my memory 
as being nearest Heaven — the only one in which I 
really lived or ever expect to live." 

She was clasped close in his arms while the words 
came low, “ there is nothing to forgive ! but if there 
were you know you would be absolved of all blame 
in my thoughts." 

Then with a lingering kiss he released her — and so 
they parted. 

As they passed on their way out they saw the back 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


231 


of the telegraph operator through the ticket window 
and heard the click of the keys, but Edah had for- 
gotten what she came for. 

How she ever got home she scarcely knew but once 
there, plunged into her work with intense energy giv- 
ing herself no time in which to think. 

After the disquieting picture he saw, James Max- 
well, — for it was he, turned on his heel and walked 
down the platform. 

Going on to the one livery barn in the place he 
asked for a riding horse. ’Twas a poor selection 
from which to choose but he ordered one sent to the 
boarding-house which was also the village hotel. 

Some little later the people on the street and those 
standing in door-ways saw a gentleman in city rid- 
ing-garb gallop through the main thorough-fare of 
the town, heading northward. 

The horse was blessed with powers of endurance if 
nothing else, otherwise it would have given out try- 
ing to keep pace with James Maxwell’s fierce thoughts. 

As he rode swiftly along lanes lined with great 
fields of ripened corn, he argued the question from 
both sides ; — that is, from his inclination to adhere to 
what he desired or the other, to withdraw silently 
from the field and abandon his desires in favor of 
his wounded pride and vanity. 

“ And leave the position open to that cur of a walk- 
ing delegate? ” 

The very thought sent the weight of preponder- 
ance in the direction of his affections and his spurs 
into his horse’s flank. 

After James Maxwell had returned to his home 
from his interview with Edah two or three weeks be- 
fore, he began to think he had been too hasty. 

The occasion of his anger still rankled — “ it cer- 
tainly was most unusual and unbecoming in a young 


232 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


woman to make such a demand upon a man who was 
offering a sacrifice of such magnitude ! ” 

“ No other woman he had ever met would do it — 
say such things/’ But then he had to admit to him- 
self, “ that she was not like other women ” — which 
was perhaps her chief source of attraction for him- 
self. 

As one day followed another he grew miserably 
sorry — wretched. 

Try as he might he could not rid himself of her 
image. 

Sometimes he saw her as she stood under the live- 
oak tree holding her — their — golden-haired boy by 
the hand. 

Again he saw her dejectedly sitting alone in her 
little home as he caught sight of her through her cot- 
tage window. 

Whatever the vision it was always alluring. 

Finding it imposible to shake off the “ spell ” or 
whatever it was which was unfitting him for busi- 
ness, he determined to make another attempt to win 
this woman who appealed to him as no woman be- 
fore had ever done. 

As he rode along the country road this bright Fall 
day all his former conflict was revived to further 
embarrass the situation. 

Usually when James Maxwell reached a decision he 
stood by it, but this unexpected vision had unsettled 
him — although the detective had prepared him for 
the remote possibility of such a contingency by speak- 
ing of a lover whom report had pictured as “ down 
and out.” 

Once again he saw himself in his exclusive circle — 
one of the bright and shining dignitaries in that 
orbit — whom any woman would be glad to accept upon 
invitation. 

Without undue egotism on his part he could name 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


233 

a score or more of women, “ who were not only 
willing but ready and waiting ! ” 

“ Why displease his sister and bring out of the 
dead past things that would shame and humiliate both ? 
It had lain hidden from view all these years, along 
with other deviations from the path of rectitude, why 
disturb it?” 

“ He would return to his home in the city and 
have done with it all ! settle down with Virginia Well- 
borne to a life of usefulness — have a family and 
cease thinking of the matter.” 

A revulsion of feeling told him even the thought 
was unendurable! 

“ He wanted Edah ! — Would have her! and again 
came the picture, he had seen in the waiting-room — 

“ Damn that walking delegate!! ” he muttered half 
aloud. 

He pulled up his heated animal, took off his hat and 
wiped his perspiring forehead. He turned about in 
the saddle and for the first time cast his eyes over 
the country through which he had been riding. 

From the top of the little hill where he paused he 
could see great fields of cured corn as far as the eye 
could reach — dotted at intervals with the homes of the 
farmers with their adjacent orchards and occasional 
meadow land. 

Turning his horse about at the end of a few minutes 
he rode back more leisurely, and a few minutes be- 
fore one o’clock alighted from his very dejected- 
looking mount at the stable entrance. 

Double pay was demanded on account of the horse’s 
appearance which was unhesitatingly acceded to by 
the silent and rather stern-looking rider. 

Edah sat in the dark, when the interminable day 
was at last ended, with only the red glow from her 
base burner lighting the room. 

A crimson spot burned bright on either cheek and 


234 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


the glitter in her eyes told of the nervous tension 
under which she had labored the past hours. 

Her unexpected meeting with Philip and his looks 
of suffering had completely unnerved her and now in 
the quiet hour all her loss and loneliness — her deep 
and unavailing love for Philip — swept over her with 
fresh intensity. 

“ Doing right was O, so hard ! ” 

“ If Mrs. Williams were only here — ! ” 

Despairing she craved an earthly friend who could 
sympathize — understand — counsel ! 

So absorbed was she in her unhappy reflections she 
did not hear the opening of the gate nor approaching 
footsteps till they sounded on her little porch almost 
simultaneously with a knock at the door. 

She was about to say, “ Come ” — when she realized 
she was without a light, so she arose and opened the 
door. 

Even in the dim light she had no difficulty in rec- 
ognizing the gentleman who confronted her with 
bared head and hat in hand. 

Too dumfounded to speak or even move — she 
blocked the entrance. 

“ Good-evening, Mrs. Brown,” — in James Max- 
well's most polite tones. 

His words roused her and she stepped back, giving 
him an opportunity to enter the room. 

Mechanically she turned about and started to light 
the lamp. 

“ Let me ” — he urged — depositing his hat on the 
table, and taking a match from his pocket. 

Somehow in the process their hands touched. 

'Twas as if a spark of electricity had suddenly 
changed his arterial fluid into liquid fire. 

If there had remained a lingering doubt in his 
mind as to his feelings for her, they were forever 
dispelled. 


I 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 235 

Fie faced the fact that he was wildly, madly in 
love with this woman while she loved another! 

The touch had roused no answering response within 
her. 

He stood a few moments by the table in silence — 
waiting to regain his normality ; then in a grave 
voice began — 

“ I have come to report ! — I followed your advice — 
command — and I found my earlier wives were all 
dead!” ending in a serio-comic tone. 

But Edah saw nothing humorous in the remark. 
With a terrible sinking of the heart she thought, 
“ Fool — fool! I might have known!” 

“ He did not want any other of his concubines ! 
He wanted her!” 

“ Oh, what can one person hope to accomplish in 
such a tangled web of wrong! ” 

He drew her low chair forward and asked her to 
be seated, but she preferred to remain standing — 
half leaning, half sitting — against the table for sup- 
port, her fingers tightly interlaced. 

Standing in front of her he said with deep feeling — 
“ Mrs. Brown let me atone for the miserable past ! 
Let a life of loving devotion make reparation for the 
great wrong done you ! ” 

“ Mr. Maxwell,” in a dull dreary monotone — “ let 
us not speak of love — and what is past is past. You 
might have been able once to make right the wrong, 
but that time has long since gone by. The joy and 
comfort in my dear boy has been a solace — all that I 
ever expect to know or have.” 

“ And a conciousness of loyalty to righteous con- 
viction,” he added softly. 

He surprised her into looking at him — the first 
time her eyes had met his compelling glance — but she 
turned quickly away. 

He began again — “ If not for your own sake — then 


236 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


for Robert’s sake listen to me. You know what our 
marriage would mean for him ! ” 

“ Alas ! she knew only too well. As the world 
looked at the matter and as Robert himself might 
come to see it !” there she stopped breathless. 

For herself she dared defy the ‘ great established 
order of things as they are!’ But for Robert it was 
different. She could sacrifice her life — everything — 
for his dear sake — but — she must find out if she could 
what was the right — that must come even before her 
precious boy ! ” 

“ Oh, if I only knew — if — I — only — knew!!” 

The confusion — the complexity of it all was mad- 
dening. 

She tried to pray but the atmosphere of prayer was 
not present. 

Suddenly before her mind’s eye rose a picture of 
a fresh, young virgin maid — standing before the altar 
in orange-blossoms and white — emblems of purity — 
by the side of this man, while a high ecclesiastic with 
much pomp and ceremony would say “ I pronounce 
you man and wife, what God therefore hath joined 
together ! ! ! ” 

“ So would sin and confusion evermore abound ; — 
besides have I the right to turn a deaf ear to this 
man who is my husband though I may not be his 
wife?” 

He saw by the changes in her face, from which his 
gaze had not shifted, that she was fighting a battle^ — 
the first signs of any hope for him. 

Then he noted the final look of determination and 
guessed from her paleness she had decided against 
herself. 

“ Be it as you say,” came from her dry lips. 

Her words sent a transport of joy through his 
being. 

He turned without speaking and walked back and 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


237 


forth the length of the room, presently pausing in 
front of her, where she still stood as motionless as 
stone, he asked — 

“ Shall we be married here or would you rather 
go with me into the city to-morrow and have the wed- 
ding take place there ? ” 

Cold, calm and level-eyed — “ Were you speaking of 
a ceremony for us f ” 

Tremendously discomfited and terribly taken 
aback he could not at once reply. 

“ But for Robert’s sake ” — he finally pleaded. 

“Not even for Robert’s sake will I permit that 
mockery. If you choose you may remain here and 
share my home and be a father to Robert before the 
world as you are in actual fact,” — scarcely recogniz- 
ing the sound of her own voice. 

In fact she had the queer, creepy feeling as if she 
were somebody else other than herself. 

That was her ultimatum and nothing he could say 
was able to change it. 

“If you loved me would that still be your de- 
cision? ” 

She bowed her head in reply. 

He continued to walk back and forth with his 
hands in his pockets and his eyes bent on the floor 
trying to decide whether or not he would ever be able 
to change the situation even after he had won her 
love. 

Lack of confidence in himself not being one of 
James Maxwell’s characteristics, he concluded to ac- 
cept her terms. 

Taking up his hat he prepared to leave. 

“ Shall I come to-morrow, or would you prefer 
some other day ? ” 

“ It cannot possibly matter,” said the strange voice 
of the other woman who was not she herself. 

With a bow he was gone. 


238 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Numb and cold in body and spirit she drew a chair 
close to the fire and sat looking with unseeing eyes 
into its brightness. 

She could not think ; — she had passed the power of 
suffering. 

Thus unthinking she sat till the fire made her 
drowsy and when once in bed deep unconciousness 
was her blessed portion till morning. 

She went through her usual round of work and 
gave the same tender solicitude to the children’s wants 
and needs. But there was a sort of desperation deep 
down within her that seemed to portend approaching 
doom. 

As the day wore on she found herself growing 
nervous and startled over every sound. By late after- 
noon it had become almost unendurable and she ran 
into her neighbor’s with the request — 

“ Dear Mrs. Johnson could you watch over the 
children for a half hour or so ; I have such a head- 
ache and I thought perhaps a little walk might do me 
good. And — and Mrs. Johnson I’m leaving Robert 
with you too ? ” 

“ That’s all right — I tak good care.” 

“ Would you mind bringing them over here in- 
stead ? ” 

So the little family were made glad by a visit to 
their neighbor’s. 

The day was too cold and wet for them to play 
outside so Edah left without her usual misgivings. 

She prepared herself for her rainy walk and di- 
rected her steps toward the cemetery. 

There was nothing in the cheerless Fall day with 
the dead and dying leaves all about her and the half 
bare branches dripping with the rain to appeal to 
anyone — it certainly did not to her. 

She turned in at the gate and walking swiftly to 
her favorite spot stood leaning againt the wet head- 
stone. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


239 


She turned her eyes toward Heaven and her heart 
cried out for help — comfort — relief — peace — but 
there were only clouds without and clouds within. 

All she seemed to hear were the words of one of 
the comforters of Job — “ Curse God and die! ” 

Her soul seemed a battleground for demons that 
lonely half hour in the deserted graveyard. 

As she turned to retrace her steps, once again there 
came to her the words, “We can suffer — may even 
DIE but we MUST DO RIGHT ! ” 

“ It had saved Robert’s life, and what would her 
life have been, and still be, without him? ” 

“If it had brought good once, it might do so 
again.” 

She knew she had honestly — earnestly — sincerely 
tried to do the right and a blessed calm came over her 
spirit, — the calmness that comes after the storm. 

Walking swiftly through the darkening gloom 
she felt more like her normal self. 

She stopped at her neighbor’s and gathered her 
little flock about her and as the two were getting 
them home through the wet asked, “ Did anyone 
come while I was gone?” 

“ No — there ban no one.” 

She busied herself with her evening duties — work- 
ing swiftly and deftly, though somewhat nervously 
— for since Billy’s advent there was so much more to 
be done. 

But at last they were all in bed — the house was 
still — and she was left face to face — alone — with that 
suspense which had been hanging over her all day ; — ■ 
an expected calamity that was as terrible in its uncer- 
tain approach as in the actual realization. 

The gate opened and closed — a step sounded ! ! 
Wild-eyed and terrified — with clasped hands she 
glanced first at one door and then at the other — 

“ Philip ! — Philip ! — save me ! ” 


240 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

When Edah, as miserable a mortal as the sun 
shone on, had the breakfast almost ready she stepped 
into the bed-room as was her habit, to see if Billy 
were awake and render what assistance was needed 
by Robert. 

The former was still soundly sleeping and the latter 
struggling with his own toilet — tip-toeing about so as 
not to make any noise. 

She bent over him for their good-morning kiss 
which he returned with fervor — throwing his arms 
about his mother’s neck and making up in squeeze 
what the necessities of the occasion demanded in quiet. 

A fleeting thought passed through her mind — 
“ what should she say to Robert ? how tell him — 
Robert this is your father!” But it was evanescent 
— “ why say anything? nothing mattered now, — noth- 
ing could make it any worse.” 

Upon reaching the breakfast room Robert’s keen 
eyes at once discerned the extra place at the table. 

“ Philip’s here ! Oh, goody, goody ! ” he shouted 
with suppressed joy — still mindful of the sleeping 
Bifly. 

“ Where is he, mothey?” running toward the liv- 
ing room. 

James Maxwell standing just outside the door hold- 
ing Mildred by the hand, heard perfectly. 

He entered the room, hesitated a fraction of a 
second as if for Edah to say something — and she was 
perfectly concious of the omission on her part, but 
could not utter a word; — then with a smile and glad 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 241 

look in his face said to the astonished child, who had 
turned at the sound of footsteps — 

“ Good-morning, Robert/' 

The glad, expectant look died out of the boy's 
face as he returned the greeting soberly — wondering. 

But still bent on finding Philip he continued his 
search, moving more slowly in the direction of the 
work-shop — for it began to dawn upon him that there 
was only one extra place at the table. 

Failing there he returned to the breakfast room as 
his mother was putting Mildred in her high chair. 

He took his accustomed place at the table by his 
mother’s side without speaking. 

If Edah had been less miserable she might have 
seen and averted the oncoming catastrophe. 

Robert's keen disappointment took an aggressive 
turn. 

Glancing first at his mother — who at that moment 
was engaged in pouring out a cup of coffee and did 
not see — he turned a look of childish dislike upon 
James Maxwell saying excitedly — 

“ That's not your place — it's Philip's place ! I don't 
like you ! — I want Philip ! " and burst out crying. 

Edah hastily arose and excusing herself led Rob- 
ert from the room. 

She wished she were a child and could scream and 
cry it all away — but that “ something " which was 
clutching her heart she felt would never let go. 

All this had sent a new thought into her already 
tortured soul ; — Philip would hear of the return of 
her husband — and she knew what that knowledge 
would mean to him ! 

Pale to her lips — “ Robert, my son " — she said when 
they were alone — drawing him to her side and wiping 
his tears with her handkerchief — “ Mr. Maxwell is 
our guest, and we must always be kind to guests you 
know.” 


242 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


The boy’s disappointment had been so keen, his 
grief was not to be checked instantly : but presently 
he grew more quiet. 

“ Mothey must go back to the table now, will you 
come too? ” 

They returned together and Robert silently took 
his place again — remaining very quiet till the end of 
the meal. 

Child as he was he understood there was a discord- 
ant element at work and he naturally laid the blame 
upon their unwelcome guest. 

At the close of the meal James Maxwell went out 
on to the little front porch. 

The clouds had vanished during the night and a 
bright autumn sun was trying to make amends for 
the depressing effect of the preceding day. 

He lighted his cigar and stood leaning against the 
post alternately letting his eyes wander out over 
Edah’s beloved view and the curling rings of smoke 
from his enjoyable cigar, while he planned a cam- 
paign which had for its object the capture of Rob- 
ert’s childish affections, and through that medium 
those of Robert’s mother. 

Meanwhile Edah dressed and carried little Billy 
to the table, talking to him lovingly and tenderly and 
pressing him close to her sympathetic heart, which 
was never too full of sorrow and grief to be untouched 
by the sight of her pathetic little cripple. 

Robert cleared the table and piled the dishes ready 
for washing while his mother attended to Billy’s 
wants, and later folded away the coverings of the 
impromptu bed on the spring-box lounge and placed 
Billy on it for his morning rub. 

He began to cry at once — having learned what to 
expect. 

James Maxwell re-entered the room as Edah was 
in the midst of her labors. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 243 

“ My God!” he ejaculated looking down at the 
child. 

Hastily divesting himself of coat and cuffs — 

“ Let me help,” as he came close to where she was 
kneeling. 

“ It’s rather low but the bed-room seemed a little 
too cool.” 

“ I’ll fix things.” 

Suiting the action to the word he pushed the lamp, 
books and work-basket to the back of the table and 
taking some of the pillows from the lounge proceeded 
to place the now quiet child upon them ; — then he 
began the treatment — “ doing it rather creditably 
Edah thought, as she stood watching a moment be- 
fore going to Robert's assistance after assuring her- 
self the child was not frightened at being treated by 
a stranger. 

Three or four times during the day as Edah started 
to give the child his manipulations, did James Max- 
well come to her assistance, remarking at the last one, 
“ I believe I can detect a slight improvement since 
morning.” 

“ The little knees are certainly less stiff than when 
I began with them — it was like trying to bend a 
bone ! ” adding softly, “ poor, patient, pathetic, hope- 
less little fellow.” 

During the afternoon Robert, who had been look- 
ing out of the window suddenly turned and said in a 
pleading tone, “ Mothey, let us go for a walk ? the 
road is most dry.” 

She was sewing buttons on Mildred’s new coat — 
“ Mothey can’t veiy well go to-day.” 

'‘Can’t I go alone — just to the top of the hill?” 
persisted the boy. 

Sometimes she had allowed him when she was on 
the porch where she could see — but never out of her 
sight since the detective episode. 


244 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ I think not to-day: if it is nice we will plan to 
go to-morrow.” 

James Maxwell looked up from the book he was 
reading — 

“ If you do not object I will be glad to accompany 
him? ” rising as he spoke. 

All Edah’s fear, nay — terror — flew into her face. 
In a voice scarcely above a whisper, “ I — I would 
rather he did not go.” 

A look of keen disappointment passed over the 
child’s face which was followed by an expression of 
mutinous “ why ? ” in his blue, rebellious eyes. 

His attitude of defiance as he glanced first at one 
and then the other was something new in her boy and 
it shocked and distressed her greatly. 

She had always given him a reason for her refusal 
and talked the matter over with him and he was so 
amenable to reason. 

So here was another dreadful complication in the 
new economy of things ! 

But come what might she made up her mind it 
should never happen again. In desperation she would 
have to learn to trust. 

Rising hastily she said, “ Get your sweater on, 
you’re going to have company in the work-shop,” and 
catching up Mildred she was whisked into the new 
coat in no time. 

As the trio were leaving the room, Robert, noting 
the omission on his mother’s part turned at the door 
saying, “Don’t you want to come too?” 

“ Thank you very much, Robert — ” said James 
Maxwell with an affectionate smile — “ I’ll stay and 
keep Billy company.” 

Not one moment in that whole day did Edah have 
to herself — she was either busy with the work or 
occupied with the children, — their wants and needs 
or Robert’s lessons. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


245 


The presence of a stranger had had a disquieting 
effect upon all, besides they had not been able to be 
outside much. 

As Edah entered her little sitting-room that even- 
ing with Robert’s good-night kiss warm on her lips, 
the outer door opened and James Maxwell came in 
from his walk to the post-office and back — bringing 
with him clinging reminiscences of his last cigar. 

The unusual odor and the sight of his correctness 
and up-to-dateness of attire filled her with repug- 
nance. 

The contrast to Philip was so great. His clothes 
seemed to belong to him, yet were apparently so un- 
important — so irrelevant ; — his personality shone un- 
dimmed in any garb whatsoever while this man 
seemed to belong to his clothes! They were insep- 
arable ; — the setting was so ornate as to dim the luster 
of the gem, if gem there was ! ” 

She walked over to the table and put in order the 
confused mass of things on its top and drawing her 
work-basket towards her seated herself and began 
her usual evening occupation. 

He stood silently watching the deft movements — 
inwardly trying to compute the number of motions 
those same two hands had made since morning. 

Presently he broke the silence — “ Are all your days 
like this ? ” 

“ Do you mean am I always as occupied? ” without 
looking up — “ this was not washing day — ironing day 
— neither baking nor cleaning.” 

“ Do you mean to say that you perform those duties 
in connection with what I saw to-day ? ” 

“Why not?” coldly, “they have to be done.” 

“ I always knew the office of motherhood was high 
and holy — needing infinite patience, tact and vigi- 
lance, but conscientiousness — earnestness — such as 


246 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


you have thrown into it as well, certainly requires all 
of a woman's time. 

“ As my wife it will not be necessary for these other 
duties to be done by yourself." 

He came close to her side and stood looking down 
upon her waiting for her to speak; — but as she re- 
mained silent he continued — “ why not come with me 
to the city where my business interests lie — where you 
can get all the assistance you need? Robert can then 
have advantages of the best in the matter of educa- 
tion as he grows older. 

“ This home will be fine to come back to for the 
summer when you feel so disposed." 

Again he paused. 

He could not see her eyes for they were bent upon 
her work, but a dull red came into her cheeks and 
the muscles about her mouth tightened as she said 
in low, concentrated tones — 

“ I do not seem ambitious along those lines — neither 
have I any inclination, desire or intention of chang- 
ing my habit of life." 

“ But if not for yourself have you no ambition for 
your boy ? " 

“ Yes — I have; — but it extends only to his ac- 
quaintance with the language that speaks to humanity 
which can be acquired with as much facility here as 
elsewhere." 

The tone of her voice as well as her words gave a 
decided air of finality to the matter. 

He inwardly cursed himself for a “ Fool " — 
“ Idiot " to make such a “ bungling mess " of things. 

He had received his diplomatic training through 
and for the women who were swayed by the almighty 
dollar and what it stands for in ease — comfort — 
luxury. 

This woman was different. 

His methods — tactics — so successful with other 




THE STORY OF EDAH. 247 

women did not fit when applied to this one particular 
woman. 

He remained silent looking down upon her then 
asked, “ What would you like me to read this even- 
ing ?” 

She indicated a volume of Tolstoy’s essays and 
there was no more attempt at conversation for some 
time. 

At the close of the reading he replaced the book on 
the shelf and gravely said, ‘ 'There is one thing, 
Mrs. Brown — Edah, — ” correcting himself — “ I wish 
to make clear to you if possible and that is — you have 
absolutely nothing to fear from me concerning Rob- 
ert. I do not wonder that you distrust me,” — in a 
constrained voice — “ but if there is anything I can 
say to relieve your suspicions which must be most 
disturbing, I would like to say it.” 

As she did not make any reply he continued — 

I do not need to tell you of my fondness for 
children and anyone who could resist the attractive 
personality of Robert, would be a strange anomaly. 
I could not harm him if I would, and taking him 
away from his mother would be a calamity to him and 
an undertaking I should not like to inaugurate.” 


248 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER XX. 

Ten days had elapsed since James Maxwell left 
his world and became an inmate of “Castle Indus- 
trie.” 

He had made some progress with Robert who, 
like any child returned kindness with kindness — but 
with Edah it was different. Her averted looks and 
distraught manner he could not help contrasting 
with the radiant vision he had seen in the waiting- 
room at the railway station. 

As the little family were eating their Sunday din- 
ner Robert suddenly looked up into his mother's face 
quite excited over some idea which had suddenly 
entered his head. 

“ Oh, mothey ! mayn’t we have — have — ” he hesi- 
tated — “ tell me, mothey, — you know.” 

“ No, Robert, I don’t believe I do.” 

“ Yes — yes — mothey! you know where we sit at the 
table and have the wine and you tell us a story? ” 
“Oh, you mean communion?” 

“ Yes, yes! ” eagerly, “ that’s it! can’t we mothey? ” 
“ Very well — when we have finished.” 

It had been her custom since coming there to have 
this religious ceremony once every few weeks and 
Robert was always glad when those times came — and 
since the graphophone was installed in the home he 
loved it still more. 

After their simple dessert of baked custard and 
ginger cookies, — while Robert removed the remainder 
of the things from the table, — she cut some small 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


249 


strips of bread and placed on a plate then filled three 
glasses with grape juice of her own bottling, one of 
which she placed in front of Robert and saying as she 
set a glass at James Maxwell’s right hand, “ Shall you 
join us in this?” 

He assented. 

After she had lifted Mildred out of her chair to 
play on the floor — leaving Billy who was always 
quiet — she re-seated herself saying, “ It is my belief, — 
and I hope Robert will come to see it so, — that the 
home is the sanctuary where all religious ceremonies 
should have their observance. 

“ It is the place of birth — marriage — death — and 
this — ” and a swift look of pain passed over her 
features as she thought of the home she had been so 
happy in building, — which seemed now such a dreary 
failure. 

The last time Philip had sat opposite her and Danny 
was by her side. 

She passed the bread in silence, seeking to com- 
pose herself before beginning. 

Her voice was unsteady at first as she told once 
again, while they ate and drank, the wonderful story 
of the Man of Sorrows : weaving in the plain, simple 
and direct teachings with the incidents of His life. 
But she forgot herself in the theme, as she continued 
in words that Robert could well understand, winding 
up with the institution of this memorial feast and 
with Jesus’ subsequent death: — at the close singing, 
in which Robert joined her, the verse beginning with 
the lines — 

“ Do this He said till time shall end 
In memory of your dying friend.” 

On the first occasion Edah had been melted to 
tears — but Robert had slipped out of his chair and 


250 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


climbing into her lap threw his arms about her neck 
saying, “ Don’t — mothey — don’t cry — ” looking so 
distressed and ready to burst out crying himself : since 
that time she had restrained any outward show of her 
emotions. 

As he grew older he would sometimes, himself, shed 
childish tears over the pathetic recital. 

But to-day when Edah had ceased speaking he 
hurriedly left the table and went into the other room : 
soon tenderly — gently — feelingly — the harmonious 
strains of “ Nearer My God to Thee ” — sung by a 
quartette of men’s voices — floated softly through the 
house. 

As the music began James Maxwell turned his 
chair sidewise to the table so as to face the other 
room — folded his arms across his breast and with 
one knee resting over the other gazed intently on the 
floor — seeing again the rapt, eager look of his beauti- 
ful boy as he sat spell-bound over the recital — and the 
pathetic expression and tender tones of the mother 
as she forgot all else in the remembranc of the sor- 
rows and sufferings of the “ Crucified One.” 

He had never been so deeply, so profoundly stirred 
by any religious ceremony in his whole life. 

It was the most powerful sermon he ever remem- 
bered to have heard and made the most lasting impres- 
sion, for she carried out in her daily life the exalted 
sentiment she expressed with her lips. 

As for Edah when the words — 

“ So by my woes to be — 

Nearer My God to Thee — ” 

fell on her ear she bowed her stately head while 
Heaven’s own dew fell with distilling sweetness on 
her plowed and harrowed soul. 

As the music ceased the very air was tremulous 
with a holy sacredness which even Robert felt. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


251 


Edah carried Billy off to finish his nap which had 
begun in his chair, while James Maxwell opened the 
screen door where Mildred had been standing in a 
vain endeavor to get outside, and amused her in the 
warm autumn sun while Robert and his mother washed 
up the dinner dishes. 

Later — about the middle of the afternoon Edah sat 
with Billy on her lap — loving, petting and soothing 
him after an unusually painful treatment : Mildred 

was playing about on the floor while Robert and 
James Maxwell were in the work-shop. 

There came a rap at the door and upon Eclairs in- 
vitation Jack Moore entered. 

Both were very much confused. 

They had not met since that unhappy Sunday more 
than three months ago when he had brought her 
Philip' s note. 

She felt hurt because of what she knew he must 
be thinking of her in the light of her recent actions — 
which of course were not unknown to the villagers — 
and he angry because she had “ played false ” with 
Philip and “ broken his heart." 

He refused to be seated and stated his errand in 
a dry, hard voice. 

“ Philip has typhoid fever." 

“Did he write you?" she asked in a low tone. 

“ No. One of the nurses I happen to know in the 
King's Daughters hospital at Brander wrote; — she 
said he was out of his head most of the time, and 
kept calling for you." 

“ Thank you very much, Jack " — with pale lips and 
a half-pleading look in her brown eyes which seemed 
to say, “ Think as well of me as you can." With sim- 
ple directness — “ I shall leave on the first train." 

As Jack Moore had entered the front door James 
Maxwell came into the house from the rear to get 
away from Robert’s incessant chatter about Philip: 


252 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


the sight of the tools and the surroundings always 
brought back to the lad memories of his hero. 

Hearing a man’s voice in the other room he waited 
by the dining-table till he had been through with his 
errand. 

Two or three workmen had called recently in regard 
to matters of sickness mostly : some asking advice and 
one man insisting upon paying Edah something for 
Marie’s services when that young woman had refused 
to accept any remuneration. 

So he was greatly shocked when he learned the 
nature of the interview. It was so brief it was impos- 
sible to help hearing it all; — and as Jack Moore left 
James Maxwell also quietly withdrew. 

In a roundabout way, so Robert might not dis- 
cover him, he entered the meadow where the cow 
was grazing and walking the length of it back and 
forth he thought quick and fast. 

The sacred feelings — holy calm which had come 
into his being only two or three short hours before 
gave place to a turbulence — fierceness — that withered 
the budding religious growth as a chilling blast of 
winter a hot-house plant exposed to its icy breath. 

“ So she was going to her lover ! ” 

And again he saw the radiant vision in the wait- 
ing-room of the station — contrasting it with her 
averted looks and distraught manner since, and her 
coldness almost amounting to aversion. 

“ James Maxwell you’re lucky that she did not 
accede to your wishes to be married by law ! 

“You’re a free man!” 

The square jaw was firmly set and the blue eyes 
had a steely look. Even thoughts of Robert did not 
avail to soften that fixed expression. 

Coming into the house a few moments later he saw 
Edah hastening about — getting some things laid out 
on the bed — hers and Robert’s. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


253 


He waited to give her an opportunity to tell him — • 
but she made no explanation, so he spoke in a care- 
less tone, but watching sharply the result of his words. 

“ Business calls me to the city for a few days ; I 
had thought to wait until to-morrow but think I would 
better go this evening.” 

He might equally as well have announced the 
Moslem’s call to prayer for all the effect it made on 
her. She went on with her preparations in the same 
sort of dazed way as if he had not spoken. 

He turned abruptly and went into the Johnsons’ 
where he had, soon after his arrival, engaged her front 
room which he used for his study and office and 
where he also kept his trunk; Edah’s home being 
rather “ small and crowded,” he thought. 

His bachelor apartments at his sister’s, including 
halls and billiard room, would contain Edah’s home 
twice over or more. 

He packed his suit-case and went to the telephone 
and ordered a carriage. 

When he returned to the cottage he found Robert 
wondering about him. 

As the boy came close to his side he put his arm 
about his shoulders and explained that he had busi- 
ness calling him back to the city. 

“ You’ll come back soon, ” looking earnestly up with 
his questioning blue eyes. 

“ I do not expect to be gone long — and you must 
not forget me,” and something got into his throat and 
voice. 

“ I won’t ” — putting both hands into his pockets 
and adding wistfully — “ I wish you wasn’t going.” 

The arm about his shoulders tightened and he was 
drawn closer to his father’s side. 

The sound of wheels was heard without which 
brought a sense of relief to this man of action. 


254 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


He had been living through one of the hard 
moments of his life. 

To do was easier than to bear. 

“ There’s the carriage ; — I wonder if I’m going to 
have a kiss before I leave?” 

Robert gravely put his arms about James Max- 
well’s neck and kissed him. 

There were tears in that gentleman’s eyes as he 
took little Billy off the floor and lifted him high in the 
air once or twice and tweaked Mildred’s little ear, in 
order to compose himself. Then entering the bed- 
room he held out his hand in farewell to Edah. 

She looked up in surprise — “You’re — ? Oh, yes! 
you’re going away. Good-bye,” — extending her hand 
without looking at him. 

The next moment he was gone. 

Soon after his departure Marie entered. Edah was 
giving Billy his bath. 

Hastily laying aside hat and wrap — “ Let me do 
that Mrs. — Edah ! ” exclaimed the nurse. 

She had always called her Mrs. Brown — but in 
the light of recent events it seemed so out of place 
she could not utter it. 

Yet Edah had made no explanations and made no 
comment now. 

“ I’m so glad you’re come, Marie ! I hesitated about 
sending for you, but did not see how I could leave 
without your being here. 

Is Mrs. Briggs very badly off? ” 

“ She has rheumatism and suffers a great deal but 
her daughter can do for her almost as well as I if 
she will,” answered the nurse. 

“Have you heard?” asked Edah lifting the drip- 
ping Billy into her lap. 

“ Yes, Jack Moore, whom I met as I was coming — 
told me,” and her cheeks took on a glow of pink 
“ are you leaving on the nine-thirty train? ” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 255 

“ Yes. I’m hoping your sister will feel like taking 
care of Robert for me.” 

“ I’m sure of it — but I can keep him with me if you 
like,” and she wondered where the gentleman was 
whom she had seen only once — and if he knew or 
cared about Edalrs mission. 

“ Thank you very much, Marie — but I’ll take Robert 
with me.” 

Upon arriving at Brander that night Edah, and 
Robert who had slept all the way over — were carried 
to Marie’s home. 

Edah put her boy to bed and waited till he slept 
before leaving. Although he made friends at once 
with Hattie — having often heard Marie speak of her — - 
still all was strange to him and it was long before 
he slept. 

’Twas midnight when she entered the frame struc- 
ture used as a hospital by the King’s Daughters and 
introduced herself to the night nurse in charge, ask- 
ing, “ How is he? ” 

“ Quite low and only rational at intervals. I’m 
very glad you’ve come, for he has called for you so 
much.” 

“ Did he ask for me when he was conscious of what 
he was saying? ” 

“ No, I think not.” 

Edah laid aside her long coat and appeared in her 
nurse’s costume saying, “ I’m ready.” 

But she was hardly prepared for the ravages the 
disease had already made in the face so dear to her. 

She was confident now that the germs of the malady 
were already at work in his system when she saw 
him not yet two weeks ago by actual reckoning — but 
which seemed years in the living. 

She knelt by his bedside and took the unresisting 
hand in hers — felt for the pulse in the wrist— read- 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


256 

justed the ice cap on his head and began the ceaselss 
sponging. 

The fever-parched lips occasionally murmured her 
name during the night — filling her with anguish. 

But even this dark and forbidding cloud had a trace 
of silver lining — “ he could not know — could not have 
heard of the man who had come to take the place that 
was denied him ! ” 

And a prayer of thankfulness rose from her heart 
that he had been spared that — which she knew only 
too well would have meant torture to him — “ and she 
could never have explained.” 

Day and night she kept up her watchful vigil with 
only little intervals of sleep till the end came the fol- 
lowing week. 

As the morning light was breaking the change 
came; — his eyes which looked into hers, deep and 
dark with the mystery of Eternity’s dawn spreading 
out before them — sent a message from his soul to 
hers of loving recognition. 

In an instant she was on her knees by his side and 
bending her face above him — “ Past their meeting 
lips a spirit fled.” 

Crushed — ill — weary and worn, she crept away to 
bed — and before long spent Nature yielded to her own 
wonderful restorative — re-vitalizer, — and Edah slept. 

Haggard and pale, a day later, she went to get her 
boy. They had never been separated before and at 
sigt of his mother Robert sprang into her arms and 
cried out his first real sorrow on her sympathetic 
breast while she held him close — choking back a sob 
or two in her own throat. 

After the greetings upon their home-coming were 
over Robert began looking through the house ; not 
finding the object of his search he returned to the 
living-room where all were gathered — Edah holding 
Billy, who looked supremely happy, on her lap. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


257 


“Where’s Mr. Maxwell? I should think he would 
be back — he said he wouldn’t stay long, didn’t he, 
mothey ? ” 

Marie and Mrs. Johnson exchanged glances while 
his mother said absently “ I think so.” 

Many times the next few days Robert asked and 
wondered about his return but aside from his inquiries 
nothing was said about James Maxwell; only Lena 
Johnson volunteered the information that a few days 
after he left he had sent some money to her husband 
to have his trunk expressed to him. 

So he dropped out of their lives. 

The little family gradually settled back into their 
accustomed groove. 

The winter came on slowly and the same changing 
views presented themselves before Edah’s eyes — but 
they saw not as of yore. 

She did her work conscientiously but the joyous, 
light-hearted spirit was gone. 

Marie often came accompanied by Jack who tried 
in every way possible to atone for his former feeling 
of distrust toward Edah, which she saw and under- 
stood, and in return tried to rejoice with them in their 
new-found love for each other. 

But at best it was only half-hearted. 

Vainly she took herself to task for this feeling of 
indifference — this lack of interest — but she could not 
make herself the spontaneous, child-like being she had 
been. 

This struggle with herself went on all winter — and 
she would sigh often and say — “ when Spring comes 
with its fresh new life it will be different.” 

Eric and Lena Johnson re-doubled their efforts to 
help her in every way possible and she was grateful 
and tried to smile and look happy for their sakes. 

But what the Spring alone could not do — love could 
and did accomplish. 


25B 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


The daily, hourly care of Billy had worked wonders. 
His eyes lost their lack-luster expression; his person- 
ality — individuality — had been aroused and the little 
l£gs were now usable. 

Love had awakened the latent, responsive spark 
within his own little breast and fanned it into bright- 
ness, and unremitting care and attention had done the 
rest. 

Billy never was the merry, rollicking child her own 
boy had been. 

The early, unrelenting forces had been fundament- 
ally against him. The fun, frolic and ginger in the 
make-up of ordinary children had been left out of his 
composition, and Edah’s mournful and sorrowing con- 
dition had prevented her from seeking to enkindle 
the playful spirit which is the rightful inheritance of 
childhood. 

But he made up in loving affection what he lacked 
in other directions. 

Half a dozen times a day the little fellow would run 
and stand by Edah’s side looking up at her. 

She would smile down at him and say, “ Does Billy 
love mothey?” and the child would repeat, ‘'Billy 
love mothey,” and lay his cheek against her hand. 

And then Edah would think, “ it's love ! — love ! — 
that is the crying need of the little waifs housed in 
the overflowing orphan asylums, and love ! — love ! — is 
the yearning call from the great mother-heart of the 
unmated women of the land; — uncertain and precari- 
ous livelihood is the obstacle in the way of the only 
right and happy solution. 

“ Oh,” she thought, “if only the expensive and 
awful Dreadnoughts and the Army and Navy — which 
are living insults to Him Who spake the sermon on 
the Mount! — the costly and magnificent churches 
which according to what He said are not needed — 
il Where two or three are gathered together in My 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


259 


name there am I in their midst ! ” — and the orphan 
asylums, were dispensed with and the expenditure — 
outlay, used in their construction and maintenance 
made into a foundation fund to pension these unmated 
women to ‘ mother ’ the orphans of the land ! ” 

“ The ages never before saw the forward strides 
humanity would then take ! ” and her eyes grew deep 
and dark and luminous with the thought. 

And there were times when she fell a-dreaming of 
another “ Castle Industrie’' with Marie and Jack at 
its head, — and she would scheme, plan and contrive 
to see how it might be possible to make the income 
that was sufficient for one, do for two. 

There were only two ways ; one was to encroach 
on the principal — in other words, “ slowly kill the 
goose that laid the golden eggs ” — or have more faith, 
lean harder on the Unseen Arm. 

She knew the latter was the right way, but when 
her mind was almost ready to trust, such lines as, 
“ The Lord helps those who help themselves ” or, 
“ Trust in the Lord, and keep your powder dry,” would 
come unbidden into her thoughts, making her waver 
and hesitate, and she was never quite able to forsake 
all visible, earthly means of support and live on faith. 

But this thinking of others worked out good in a 
way of which she was not conscious at the time ; — it 
helped her to forget herself — her own griefs and 
woes : her own sorrow was lost in the larger, greater 
troubles and needs of the many. 


26 o 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER XXI. 

Edah stood on her little front porch gazing mechan- 
ically — aimlessly out over the peaceful green fields 
stretching away in gentle undulations to the south 
and west, but her mind was not in harmony with the 
scene. 

She felt more depressed than for many days — why — ■ 
she did not know. 

“ Perhaps because Robert had persisted in talking 
of Philip. Or was it the glorious unclouded sun- 
shine of a perfect summer day as it drew to its close? 
or the scent of the flowers that were wafted to her 
on the air — or all of these combined ?” 

And she sorrowfully contrasted herself with the 
joyous, light-hearted girl- woman who waited, as she 
was standing now, so many, many times for a sight 
of a beloved face and form that would come never- 
more. 

Unutterably sad she turned about and went indoors 
where she busied herself with the children's early 
supper — seeking in action to turn her mind from vain 
thoughts of the irrevocable past. 

While they were sitting around the table on their 
screened-in back porch their neighbor entered. 

As usual she was given a warm and rather noisy 
welcome — for they were all fond of her — and Robert 
sprang up to make a place for her at the table. 

“ Never mind, Robert ; ” and turning to Edah, — “ I 
stay with the children while you go for a walk ”■ — 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


261 

her face full of the sympathy she could only express 
in deeds of kindness. 

“ Me go to,” shouted Mildred, climbing out of her 
chair. 

“ Mothey may I go too ? ” pleaded Robert while 
Billy's persuasive eyes were eloquent. 

“ No — no,” said the neighbor — “ When you get done 
supper we go look for the eggs and see the little calf 
eat his supper ” — which promise reconciled Mildred 
to being put back in her chair to continue her inter- 
rupted meal and have an eye on Billy as he ate his. 
The older she grew the stronger became the conviction 
that she was Billy’s custodian and responsible for his 
actions. 

“How good of you, dear Lena — but it is just your 
busy time.” 

“They can play in the yard while I give my old man 
his supper; no need to hurry back — I put them to 
bed.” 

Edah gave her friend a smile as she vacated her 
place at the table ; “ I don’t think I shall be gone so 
long as that but I certainly appreciate the offer.” 

She blew a kiss of farewell from her finger tips 
which Robert returned in like manner — patted her 
friend’s cheek affectionately and was gone. 

Already her heart was lightened. A kindly deed 
done by or to one’s self can change the world from 
darkness to light oftentimes — at least temporarily. 

As she walked slowly along through the shadows 
of the hedge and osage-orange trees that bordered 
the road she was receptive to the soft, gentle quie’t of 
the hour and place. 

Turning in at the cemetery gate Edah proceeded 
to her favorite spot at the far side of the grounds 
opposite the entrance, — it always seemed higher there, 
a little nearer Heaven — beside the graves of two old 
people whom she often wondered about. 


2 62 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Her eyes roamed over the wide, outspreading, fa- 
miliar distance ; — the far-away river with its outline of 
trees, the fields of young grain intervening, — looking 
so beautiful, so peaceful in the low rays of the setting 
sun. 

It had been a long time since her feet had strayed 
thither; — not since one Sunday in early Spring when 
she had brought the children with her — hoping to have 
a heavenly vision as of yore from this “ mountain- 
top of inspiration/' but no up-lift was vouchsafed her. 

Earthbound she had come and earthbound she had 
gone away. 

She paused beside the granite headstone and won- 
dered in a dull colorless way, “ if she would ever 
again be lifted on the wings of faith to soar to the 
very gates of heaven as she had done so often in the 
past ? ” 

“ Were there others in the world as miserable as 
she? ” 

“ Bereft of him whom her heart loved and still 
cried out for — and forsaken by another to suffer the 
humiliation of desertion — ! ” 

Hers was truly a sad lot. 

She looked down at the graves of those two so 
quietly sleeping; — sleeping through the frost and 
snows of winter and the heat and storms of summer, 
regardless of the woes and tears of suffering human- 
ity — even of her heart-breaking sorrow who stood so 
near their narrow bed. 

She wished that she, too, were lying there as still — 
wrapped in the long and dreamless sleep. 

Presently a startling thought intruded itself upon 
her consciousness “ had she earned the right to that 
uninterrupted rest?" 

Her eyes fell again on the familiar inscription : 

“ Waiting the glorious resurrection of the faithful — 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 263 

William Daily Elkins Martha Anne his wife 
1 800- 1 880 1 804- 1 884 

The memorial of the just shall be had in everlast- 
ing remembrance/’ 

Almost unconsciously she mused on — “ eighty years 
had they struggled with the vicissitudes of life — doubt- 
less a half century or more of that time together: 
with their allotted ‘ four-score ’ of years it was their 
privilege to ‘ rest from their labors.’ 

“ Loving hearts had recorded their efforts — ‘ they 
were faithful and they were just.’ ” 

She sank down by the stone and covered her face 
with her hands, while awakened conscience demanded, 
“had she been faithful to her trust?” “Had she 
been just to those helpless little ones confided to her 
care, during this past winter of her discontent?” 

“ Her lifework — everyone’s lifework, — demands 
that the body be kept up to its very highest point of 
efficiency. 

“ How could hers be with mind and heart in such a 
distressed and storm-tossed state?” 

Her pulses almost stopped beating as the full force 
of the thought thrust itself upon her. 

“ She must put Philip and her consuming love out 
of her thoughts and life!” 

Motionless — still — she sat with her face buried in 
her hands, while another fierce battle was waged 
within ; the forces of conscience — right — were ranged 
in deadly array against this wild, passionate, absorb- 
ing love which usurped her heart in vain and futile 
grieving. 

The moments passed. 

At last she looked up with a fixed expression of 
determination written in her face. 

Gazing far away into the soft ether she soliloquized 
half audibly — 


264 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Philip, dearest Philip — forgive ! — forgive ! ” 

“You must know with what unspeakable pain and 
anguish I say good-bye ! ” 

“ But you will understand — you’ll know that my 
love is undimmed — will never grow cold, — but it must 
no longer consume.” 

“ This constant grieving unfits me for the work we 
both loved so well. It has been left for me to do 
double duty and how poorly — inadequately and with- 
out heart have I done it since you left ! ” 

She descended into the memory-chamber of her 
heart sacred to Philip and stood for the last time 
before the tall vase containing the flowers of their 
earthly love — now faded, brown and stiff, with the 
odor of musty closeness clinging to them. 

“Farewell, — farewell — my Philip,” she cried: 
Sometime, — some day, Oh ! my beloved, — my soul’s 
mate, — you will understand ! ” 

“When I, too, shall have been freed from earth’s 
fetters that bind, we will gather the flowers of true 
love, you and I, that bloom immortal in those Elysian 
Fields beyond where hand in hand together we’ll 
roam, throughout the endless eternity of days; — Till 
then a long farewell.” 

The key was turned in the lock and left there to 
rust. 

She leaned over with one arm on the grassy 
mound — her head resting on her hand, — weak and 
worn with the intensity of her thoughts. 

The multitudinous insects in the grass about her 
seemed to chirp “ farewell — farewell.” 

The birds twittered “ farewell ” with their good- 
night songs ; — the gentle breezes from the treetops 
softly murmured the same sad word, and the even- 
ing shadows, creping up from the river and from out 
the orchards and fence corners covered her with a 
mantle of sable, breathing “Farewell” — “Farewell.” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


265 


Oblivious of the flight of time and the on-coming 
night she lay for some time without moving or think- 
ing — save for this little petition winged to heaven — 
“ help me evermore to be faithful and just in the 
work Thou hast given me to do/’ 

Suddenly a sharp, fierce pain — once felt never for- 
gotten — startled her, rousing her from her reverie 
and making her very much alive to her lonely and 
helpless situation. 

She was cramped from her long semi-recumbent 
posture on the grassy grave and it was some moments 
before she could pull herself up. 

She leaned against the granite headstone quite 
alarmed, as a second and a third followed the first — 
measuring the distance with her eye, through the 
dusky gloaming, to the gateway. 

“ How can I ever do it?” she thought; — but make 
the attempt at once, she must and did. 

Slowly and with difficulty she reached the gate and 
stood leaning against its friendly support, while she 
contemplated the rest of her journey — the long half 
mile home — through the darkness of the night. 

As she stood gathering strength and courage for the 
venture she discerned the shadowy outlines of a man 
coming toward her. 

Breathing a sigh of relief and thanksgiving she 
recognized the figure of her good neighbor Eric and 
called, “ Oh, Em so glad you're come! I'm here — by 
the gate.” 

In another moment he was by her side. 

“ It was so good of you ! are the children all right? ” 

Receiving an answer in the affirmative she went 
on — 

“ I'm afraid you'll have to let me lean on your arm. 
I sat on the ground so long I became quite cramped.” 

Slowly and painfully, leaning on the good strong 


266 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


arm of her friend, she made the rest of the journey in 
silence. 

She found Mrs. Johnson and Robert standing at 
the cross-roads ; the latter had been crying and at sight 
of his mother his tears began to flow afresh as he ran 
to her side. 

As soon as Edah was comfortably seated in her 
own home — dearer than she ever dreamed it was — 
she bade Mrs. Johnson telephone at once for Marie. 

“ I do hope this premature call will not completely 
upset her plans/' 

The good Lena was far more anxious and worried 
over Edah herself than over any one’s plans — looking 
anxiously down upon her friend now so perfectly calm 
and tranquil only when an occasional recurring pain 
sent the color into her face. 

Edah put her arm about her boy who was standing 
by her chair and drew him to her side. 

“ I think the little brother or sister mothey told you 
about will come to-night — God willing.” 

But Robert was still so miserable over his fright 
about “ mothey ” that he could not respond — that was 
so vague, unreal, while his alarm had been so vital, so 
terrifying. 

Shocks — alarms — so hard for grown-ups are infi- 
nitely worse for a child, the tranquil even tenor of 
whose way is so very necessary to his well-being. 

She let him cry and sob it out on her shoulder while 
she ran her fingers through his soft, wavy hair — the 
curls had long since disappeared from his head and 
were carefully tucked away in a box to be lovingly 
opened and admired every once in a while — in the old, 
familiar fashion which always had a soothing effect 
upon him and by the time Mrs. Johnson and her hus- 
band had come to move the small beds and little 
sleepers into their home he was pleased and happy 
over the prospect of the new baby he was to see in the 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 267 

morning and quite content to kiss his mother good- 
night and go with them. 

So once again was to occur the old — new — strange — 
wonderful — commonplace matter of birth ! — life ! — 
which like death is so everywhere present as to render 
itself almost unheeded save by those intimately con- 
cerned. 


268 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER XXII. 

June lovely, soft, languorous June — slowly un- 
rolled itself over the appreciative city by the shores 
of Michigan’s lake. 

After an unusually cold, discouraging Spring this 
descent of summer was more than grateful. 

The doors and windows of the house of Bramhall 
were wide to the balmy air. 

A waiting touring-car stood invitingly in the porte- 
cochere while the afternoon shadows grew long. 

The door of James Maxwell’s private apartments 
opened and that gentleman emerged as Marjory and 
her mother descended the broad staircase dressed for 
motoring. 

“ Oh, C T ncle! you’re just in time to come with us 
for an auto ride : Mamma and I did not wait for 
dessert — but we’ll wait for you, won’t we, Mamma? ” 
as she reflected her uncle had probanly not been to 
dinner. 

“ It is a beautiful evening for any sort of trip and 
an auto ride with my dear niece sounds more than 
attractive,” smiling down upon her, “ but I’m afraid 
it will be impossible for me to go, girlie, much as I 
would like it.” 

Turning to his sister he said gravely, “ Can you 
arrange for the others to go alone? I would like to 
have a little talk with you ! ” 

“ Certainly I can : ” wondering as she walked toward 
the dining-room where her husband had remained to 
finish his dinner without haste, — “ what it could pos- 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 269 

sibly be that could not be put off until to-morrow, or 
at least until her return/’ 

Later she remarked the unusually tender caress of 
good-bye as Marjory was clasped in her uncle’s arms 
before leaving with her father, and that coupled with 
his pre-occupied manner and unusual request made 
her feel anxious and worried. 

As they sat at the table while her brother went 
through the formality of eating, she could not help 
saying, “ Do you know you are certainly going to 
make yourself ill again with all this business strenu- 
osity. Your appetite has not been what it should — 
what it used to be — for weeks ! ” and there was real 
anxiety in her looks and tone. 

“ Im not ill — that is, have no bodily ailment — but 
I’ll tell you all about it later ” — and there was silence 
between them — she more than ever mystified at his 
words. 

“ Could he possibly be going to get married? if so 
he certainly did not look the part of a happy, pros- 
pective bridegroom.” 

So she dismissed the idea at once. 

“ It must be something connected with business — 
something that was to take him away — perhaps to 
make his home elsewhere ! ” 

The very thought was so disturbing that when he 
declined the dessert and arose to leave she shrank 
from the approaching interview and it was with a 
sinking heart that she walked by his side to the 
screened part of the veranda. 

In silence they passed up and down the roomy piazza 
his arm about her waist: she curious yet fearful to 
know and he reluctant to begin. 

He knew what he had to say would hurt this dear 
sister grievously — perhaps estrange her from him 
forever. At least it would add bitterness to her life 
when already there was much in it that was not joy. 


270 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Sadly he realized this was another link in the chain 
of suffering caused by his own wrong-doing. 

“ It is very hard to begin, Cis. Idol smashing is 
not a pleasant task at best, and when one's self is that 
idol it is doubly hard.” 

“What do you mean, James?” with some asperity 
in her tone — “ If you think I shall believe any ill of 
you — disabuse your mind of that idea: I should not 

believe even if you told it me ! ” and she leaned her 
cheek affectionately against his shoulder. 

“ That somehow was not making it much easier.” 

After another turn or two up and back he broke the 
silence by saying abruptly — “ Aimee I'm going to be 
married ! ” 

He felt the shock of surprise his words caused as 
his sister exclaimed — “ Oh, James! is it — ” before 
she could utter her friend’s name her brother made 
haste to say, “ No.” 

“ And when I tell you who it is I fear you are going 
to be unhappy. But if I could only tell you half of 
what this woman is — not only to me but to others — 
you would love her I know.” 

He could feel rather than see her great disappoint- 
ment. 

“Then I know her? ” 

“Yes, Aimee. Do you remember four or fixe years 
ago when Marjory was so ill with pneumonia? Do 
you remember a nurse you had at that time by the 
name of Mrs. Brown?” 

“Yes, I have reason to recollect, — what of her? 
you surely don’t mean — ? ” and she could not keep 
the horror out of her voice. 

It wasn’t exactly easy for James Maxwell to pro- 
ceed but when he once made up his mind to a thing 
he was pretty apt to go through with it — besides he 
had suffered much and purification had begun within 
him. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


271 


In low, sorrowful tones he continued — “ I once did 
her a very great wrong — and I would like to make 
amends — as much as I can at this late hour/’ 

His sister withdrew from his encircling arm and 
stopping abruptly, stood facing him, almost too much 
excited to speak coherently. 

“ If there was ever any wrong done Til never believe 
she was not the instigator. Besides — ” changing her 
hard tone to one of pleading — “ She has gotten along 
all these years she surely don’t need you now! ” 

“ No, perhaps not,” he said sadly, “ it is 1 who need 
her. I wish I could picture her to you as I saw her 
in her home, making the most gallant single-handed 
fight against unrighteousness and wrong-doing in this 
disjointed world of ours. It is my desire to help in 
this struggle as well as atone for the wrong done 
her ; — besides, sister dear,” — with deep feeling — “ I 
love her.” 

His sister burst into tears, saying in broken accents — - 
She — is, is — not worthy of you! She is a — a — - 
wicked schemer ! Don’t — don't do it ! ” 

His arm was about her and she was crying on his 
shoulder. He waited till she was calmer then said — 
“ Aimee, dear, I wish I had it in my power to tell 
you of the greatness — nobleness — of this woman’s 
soul; — for I’m sure you would love her if you could 
see her now.” 

I’ll always hate her!” — she broke in fiercely as 
she disengaged herself from his clasp. 

In silence they stood till broken by his sad, plead- 
ing words. 

“ Good-bye, Cis. I cannot tell you how unutter- 
ably sad I am that you should feel like this. I’m leav- 
ing to-night and have' many things to look after; — do 
not let us part like this,” — and he reached out to 
embrace her, but she turned away with a bitter sob 


272 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


and left him standing alone with a great sorrow in his 
heart. 

Slowly and sadly he went indoors and began his 
final preparations for leaving. 

After his abrupt departure from Edah’s household 
he had returned to his home — “ a sadder and a wiser 
man/’ he thought — “ glad to have recovered from 
that fierce infatuation ! ” 

But as the days went by, he found it was not so 
easy to forget. 

He resolutely and sternly turned his mind upon 
business affairs with the full intention of crowding 
out all recollection of this woman and her lovable 
child. 

Perhaps by the sheer force of his will he might 
have’ succeeded in so doing — but for other reasons 
which conspired to thwart his purpose. 

He soon found that business had less charm — * 
seemed to be less important. There was the same 
battle of the giants in the political field — the same 
victories — successes, — but the triumphant, nay even 
the satisfied feeling was absent. 

Life had somehow suddenly lost its meaning. 

He had been given a glimpse of another kind of 
life — one full of loving self-sacrifice and devotion to 
others. 

Even though a woman’s life he could not but 
acknowledge to himself to be higher — loftier than his 
own ; — of more real importance to the world. 

The strife, competition, which filled his days — 
wherein his brain was used to outwit a less formidable 
antagonist — became more and more distasteful as time 
went on. 

He had breathed the ozone of another world — 
Edah’s world of freedom, purity, simplicity — and the 
lure was strong upon him. 

In spite of his efforts there would come unbidden 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


273 


visions of the tall, comely woman — whose personality 
was so haunting — as she carried the little crippled 
orphan close in her arms, looking down upon him 
with ineffable pity in her eyes ; — or he would see her 
bending over him as she rubbed and manipulated the 
stiffened limbs of the suffering child. 

Often would come recollections of that never-to- 
be-forgotten communion service — thoughts of which 
always sent his soul up — up — into untried heights of 
ether, and he would recall every look, word and tone 
of the woman who sat opposite him as she re-told the 
story of the cross — himself and all else forgotten, — 
while the child sat in rapt silence gazing into his 
mother's face. 

Such reminiscences generally led to shameful recol- 
lections of his own despicable conduct — filling him 
with abhorrence. 

“ If his first act had been a dastardly crime, was 
his last a whit less heinous, wherein he had taken 
advantage of her convictions of right to further his 
own selfish desires ? ” 

Then he would glimpse a little of what she had suf- 
fered at his hands — “ perhaps to the very edge of 
desperation in the first instance and of heart-break in 
the second; — ” That would lead up to thoughts of 
him whom Edah loved which usually had the effect 
of precipitating immediate action of some sort — end- 
ing the train of thought for the time. 

So through the winter months the conflict went 
on ; — the battle waged mightily within. 

There was something at work in his being more 
powerful than even his own strong will, calling him 
to higher, nobler things. 

He could not silence that “ Still small voice ” which 
had come unbidden and would be heard. 

He finally began to realize there was only one 
course open to him. Where duty and inclination 


274 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


joined hands he thought it wiser to no longer resist 
and he began preparations to wind up his business 
affairs in the city. 

Now that he was ready to follow the dictates of 
his heart he began to have grave fears lest he had lost 
his one opportunity. 

“ Would she turn a deaf ear to his entreaties ? ” 

“ Would she give even a half-hearted compliance 
with his wishes another time?” 

“ Might she not think her duty fully done after 
giving him one opportunity of fulfilling her idea of 
right ? ” 

“ He did not expect her love ! ” he told himself. 

He was humbled to the point of being willing to 
give all and ask for nothing in return. 

“He would serve and wait, oh, how faithfully! — 
if only he might.” 

In all these months he had heard nothing from or 
of the inmates of “ Castle Industrie ; ” writing was 
not to be thought of ; — he felt the need of some media- 
tion less cold and formal ; — “ he would trust only to 
his own strong personality, — ” and it was with diffi- 
culty he could restrain his impatience till his affairs 
were in a condition to leave for an indefinite period. 

He had spoken to his sister of his approaching mar- 
riage as being quite assured — but always there was 
present with him a feeling far from assurance. He 
never really doubted that Edah’s strong convictions 
were unchanged — but there were unhappy times when 
he was fearful that “ he might get his just deserts ! ” 

“ He was certainly deserving of little that was good 
at her hands.” 

At last on this day in the early summer his arrange- 
ments were perfected to an approximate degree and 
only his confession to his sister remained to be made. 

Now that, too, was over — and it was with a sad and 
heavy heart he set about his final leave-taking. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


275 


“ He had estranged the only sister he had. One 
with whom he had always made his home, and who 
was endeared to him in more ways than usually hap- 
pen to cement the love of brother and sister. 

“ He was her confidant, counselor, and consoler 
when the domestic waters were troubled, as was often 
the case. 

“ Severing the sweet and intimate ties between him- 
self and Marjory was no light thing either;— and 
mingled with all was the future’s uncertainty.” 

It was night and the air soft and balmy as James 
Maxwell walked the familiar lane between the village 
and Peace Hill. 

The express train instead of arriving at eight in 
the evening — its schedule time — was more than two 
hours’ late. 

Leaving his luggage behind he decided to walk out 
and see once again the place that sheltered the woman 
for whose sake he had renounced all, before returning 
to the village for the night. 

In fancy he had pictured their meeting again in and 
under almost every conceivable situation and condi- 
tion. 

He hoped and thought, “ he might find Edah and 
her boy on their small piazza enjoying the starlight and 
the soft summer night. They would be sitting to- 
gether on the top step while Robert would be asking 
unnumbered questions about the voices of the night — 
the stars — or something at work within his own little 
brain, with his deep, earnest, questioning, childish 
eyes turned up to his mother’s face for information. 

“ Or he might find them together by the shaded 
lamp with the front door open on the porch — she busy 
with her sewing while he was engrossed with his pen- 
cil and paper, book or toy.” 

He had tried to imagine his arrival in their midst 


276 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


but always a barrier — a something — came before his 
mind's eye which prevented that visioning. 

The vexatious delay in the train’s arrival put an 
end to his speculations. 

As he neared the Johnson home he saw a light 
burning in the kitchen and looking across their yard 
to Edah’s, he noted a light there also. 

Somewhat surprised, knowing their early hours, he 
quickened his steps. 

Turning the corner, the front of the Johnson home 
was dark, but a few steps further revealed lights 
shining from all the windows of “ Castle Industrie.” 

The sight filled him with uneasiness. 

“ Either their habits of life had changed or the 
mistress was entertaining guests or there was illness in 
the little family.” 

Instead of quietly stopping at the? gate as he had 
planned he softly entered and made his way through 
the shadows of the trees to the front door which stood 
a j ar. 

The living-room was in semi-darkness — being 
lighted only from the two adjoining rooms. 

He could hear someone lightly stepping around in 
the bed-room. 

A low moan caught his ear — at sound of which his 
heart sank ; — it bore a distant resemblance to the tones 
of Edah’s voice. 

Standing motionless — intently watching — he saw 
the figure of a man pass the open door as if going to 
the table near the window whereon the lamp was sit- 
ting. 

Silently he turned and made his way to the rear of 
the house. 

Through the screened-in porch he could look into 
the dining-room which also was lighted by a burning 
lamp about which on the table was scattered a great 
confusion of articles. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 277 

Suddenly in the darkness he was brought face to 
face with Lena Johnson. 

Hurriedly and low — “ it is, I, — Mr. Maxwell ; — 
dear Mrs. Johnson tell me what’s the matter; — who is 
ill?” 

For answer he received a silent, stony stare which 
he felt rather than saw as that lady backed herself 
before him against the screen door. 

After waiting a reasonable length of time he kindly 
but firmly repeated his question. 

This time he was rewarded with an answer — 

“ Your wife is havin’ her baby ! ” 

Her reply gave him a shock — for somehow that 
contingency had received only a fleeting cognizance 
in his thoughts. 

“ Is she — is she very ill?” 

“ A heap of difference that makes to you,” answered 
the irate lady. 

Just then a louder and more prolonged moan was 
heard from within and the woman hastily opened the 
door and entered the screened porch. 

“ Say nothing,” hurriedly enjoined the man in a 
low voice as she made her way into the dining room. 

He returned to the front of the house, and seated 
himself on the steps of the little piazza — within ear 
shot of the sounds from the sick-room. 

Every outcry was like a knife' in his heart. 

Suffering in spirit as her physical anguish increased, 
he sat silent through the long hours, or walked the 
grassy plot in front of her windows. 

As the sounds of pain grew more frequent and 
distinct he made his way again to the rear and entered 
the dining-room. 

A moment later Marie came hurriedly out of the 
sick-room carrying a baby’s basket piled high with 
small, fluffy comforters — little garments — towels and 
other necessary articles in one hand while in the other 


278 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


she held a flickering candle, evidently on her way to 
the kitchen outside where he had noticed in passing 
the gasoline stove was burning. 

She staggered back — repressing a sudden scream. 
Gazing at him with all the hatred of which her nature 
was capable she stood transfixed. 

“ Is she going to die ? ” he asked hoarsely as he 
wiped the drops of perspiration from his face. 

The nurse could not but feel some compassion as 
she noted his evident distress — so she remarked 
coldly, “ it’s only a case of stubborn labor,” as she 
passed on out. 

“ Only!” he repeated after her as he made his way 
into the night to take up his silent vigil on the steps. 

A tardy moon was shining in the sky and the sweet 
fragrance of Edah’s flowers shed their perfume un- 
heeded around him. 

He could hear sounds of hurried moving about and 
the short, low sentences of the man within, presum- 
ably the doctor, alternating with the sharp cries of 
pain. 

Being a man of action and forced to sit quiescent 
while the interminable hours of anguish passed, was 
almost more than he could endure. 

But leave he could not — stay he must ! 

He knew if he were only able to have a say in the 
sick-room, this lingering suffering would be short- 
ened. 

The first faint streaks of dawn were beginning to 
make their appearance in the pale, eastern sky when 
a sharp wail of agony pierced the night. 

“Oh! can’t you do anything to help me?” 

With clenched hands he sprang from his seat as if 
shot out of a cannon : 

“Damn such a pin-head!! — No doctor with any 
sense would allow such prolonged torture ! ” and he 
strode like a caged lion back and forth across the yard. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


279 

Quick movements within — then death-like stillness 
followed the cry. 

Prsently there was wafted on the soft breeze the 
sickening odor of chloroform. 

Following his inward tumult it made him faint and 
ill. He sat down and leaned against one of the pil- 
lars — motionless — waiting. 

The sepulchral silence which ensued seemed even 
harder to bear than the sounds of suffering. 

When it began to seem as if no longer endurable he 
heard the wail of a new-born babe. 

With the birth of a fresh day a new life had been 
launched into existence. 

Heaving a great sigh of relief he relaxed the stiff 
tension of soul and body. 

Burying his head in his hands an inarticulate prayer 
ascended on high in which thankfulness — hope — 
mercy — were strangely blended. 

He was roused by the sound of Edah’s natural tones 
but could not distinguish her words. 

From the doctor’s reply — “In a few moments, Mrs. 
Brown ” — he judged she had been asking to see her 
baby. 

The tones all sounded cheerful — a fact which sent 
a wave of comfort through his being. 

Rising he made his way to Robert’s work-shop. 

The sight of the familiar place recalled his last visit 
there — filling him with a yearning desire for his fair- 
haired, manly boy. 

He was not too preoccupied, however, to prevent 
his keeping a close watch on the back-door of the 
house. 

It was not a great while before Mrs. Johnson 
emerged. 

He waylaid her as she was hurrying homeward — 
“Wait a moment please.” 

She had not observed him and turned hastily as he 


2<3o 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


spoke: as with Marie his appearance had a some- 
what mollifying effect upon her; — his night’s vigil 
told upon him. 

She never had quite shared the latter’s strong aver- 
sion to the man — although she fully resented his 
treatment of Edah. 

James Maxwell, if he so chose, could win favor 
with almost anyone and he had really put forth the 
effort in Lena Johnson’s case. 

“How is — how did you leave them?” 

“ Asleep ; ” was the lacbnic reply with a tight shut- 
ting of the lips as she moved away. 

“Mrs. Johnson!” the words though spoken low 
had a compelling tone and she turned respectfully to 
listen. 

“ Do not say anything to Robert or — or anyone of 
my being here. I shall let them know myself when I 
am ready to do so.” 

He re-entered the work-shop and she hastened on 
home to begin her day’s work. 

Lingering a while longer to make sure the doctor 
had gone he once more made his way to the front and 
entered the house. 

Quiet as he had been Marie’s ear, on the alert, had 
detected his movements. 

Silently — swiftly — she came like an avenging 
Nemesis and confronted him at the connecting door 
between the living and dining-room. 

She gave him a look that evidenced her desire to 
annihilate him, while he — with grave, imperturbable 
mein — quietly seated himself with his back toward her 
with the evident intention of remaining. 

Hearing her returning footsteps he arose and softly 
closed the door upon her retreating figure. 

He placed his chair in the angle of the room between 
the bed-room and dining-room doors — close beside 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


281 

the music cabinet and quite out of range of sight of 
those in the sick-room. 

The quiet stillness of all about him made him drowsy 
and he must have fallen alseep — out of which he was 
roused by Edah’s voice. 

“ Bring her to me, Marie, that's a dear! I did not 
get half a look this morning." 

“ Ail right — just while I get you a glass of milk." 

Edah laughed as she said, “ don't hurry too much." 

The words — the laugh — the glad tones — sent the 
moisture into James Maxwell's blue eyes. 

He waited till Marie's footsteps had passed through 
and out of the dining-room on their way to the cellar, 
then noiselessly and hastily he arose and peeped into 
the sick-room. 

Not for worlds would he have had Edah shocked by 
sight of him in her present condition — but he could 
tell by the sound of her voice that she was facing the 
other way — so he could not resist the temptation. 

She was looking down at her baby as it lay on her 
right arm — with a face almost as white as the pillow 
on which she was resting and one long braid of brown 
and gold lying across her left shoulder while the end 
of the other on which she was lying was tossed back 
over the pillow. 

A flood of tender emotions filled his breast to burst- 
ing while some lines which had once strongly impressed 
him came to his mind; — 

“ Twice have I seen God's full reflected grace, 
Once, when the wailing of a child at birth 
Proclaimed another soul had come to earth, 

That look shone on and through the mother’s face." 

Warned by Marie’s returning steps he hastily with- 
drew. 

“ Robert, love, is that you ? " called Edah. 


28 2 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Marie, see if that is Robert in the sitting-room. 
Let the dear little fellow come in for just a moment/' 
she pleaded. 

Marie knew she would not see Robert there — so 
without waiting to put the baby away and with wrath 
unspeakable in her soul she entered the living-room in 
time to see the substantial form of James Maxwell 
going over the low West railing of the little porch. 

That was the last she saw of him for some days. 

After breakfast was over Edah begged to see the 
children, “ just for a few moments, Marie — one at a 
time — Robert first, please." 

The nurse had so impressed him that “ his mother 
was sick " — and “ he must be quiet " — and “ not ask 
to stay ’’ — till the poor child did not know whether to 
cry or be glad when he stood by his mother’s side and 
gazed down upon the sleeping baby. 

Edah waited a while in silence before asking, as she 
smiled into his beloved face — “ Isn’t she a dear little 
sister? " 

At the sound of her voice and words the spell was 
broken and the bright, eager look natural to his face 
chased away the timid awe from his features and he 
threw his arms about his mother’s neck and kissed her 
fondly. 

Then Mildred came and looked with big round eyes 
at the new baby. 

She had only a child’s passing curiosity and made no 
resistance when Marie led her away. 

Lastly came little Billy; — he trotted straight up to 
the bed and began patting his “mothey’s" cheek with 
his baby hand while he laid his head as near to hers 
as he could get, repeating “ Billy loves mothey — Billy 
loves mothey." 

Edah could get him to take no notice of the new 
baby — his desires and happiness were complete to be 
with her. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 283 

And dear, good little Billy showed great reluctance 
to being led from the room. 

The next few days were like a nightmare to poor 
Marie. 

She felt as if she were living over a volcano or mine 
of dynamite. 

She feared for Edah’s sake and was deeply anxious 
and watchful over Robert and mingled with it all 
she was, oh, so angry ! 

In fact the uncertainty — vigilance — suspense — 
almost made her ill. 

Edah noticed that something was wrong but when 
she questioned the nurse Marie affirmed there was 
nothing at all the matter so Edah concluded it must 
be something between herself and Jack and said no 
more. 

She could see for herself that her little brood were 
all right and she growing strongeir and more like her 
old-time self every day. 

Her renunciation that evening in the cemetery, 
coupled with the new flood-tide of love that had come 
into her life with the advent of her baby, was already 
bearing fruit. 

Calm — courageous — hopeful — she once more faced 
Hfe. ^ . 

She began again to hunger and thirst after Right- 
eousness as in the days gone by. 


284 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

During those first few days Mrs. Johnson was sent 
for often to receive a telephone message at the neigh- 
borhood exchange — once, as she was sitting with 
Edah while Marie was taking her rest. 

Edah wondered a little at the call for it was rather 
an unusual occurrence, but her surprise was aug- 
mented as she noticed her neighbor's confusion. 

“ Go right along Lena, I’m all right; you won’t be 
gone but a little while.” 

<f I ban’t going,” said that lady with stubborn de- 
termination. 

Edah knew urging was useless when confronted 
by that voice and manner — so nothing more was said 
by either — and the messenger went back without any 
explanation only what the young child herself could 
suggest. 

One morning after the baby was over a we’ek old 
Edah sat leaning back among the pillows interestedly 
watching Marie wash and dress her baby. 

“ It won’t be long now before I will be doing that 
myself,” with a glad voice — adding more soberly — 
“ don’t you think she’s very little?” 

“ I’ve seen larger babies — so have I seen many that 
were smaller. When you get up and about and get 
your strength back, you’ll find she will grow fast.” 

After a thoughtful silence Edah suddenly said, 
looking out the window, “ Where do you suppose 
the children are? I’ve not heard a sound from them 
for ever so long — not since I wakened ! ” 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


285 


“ They’ve gone with the Johnsons on a picnic: 
Robert came in to tell you but you were having such 
a fine nap I would not let him disturb you.” 

“ Why, they were off all of yesterday ! It's very 
dear of them to do it, but I don’t see how Eric can 
take the time at this busy season. Why Marie — there 
goes Mr. Johnson this minute!” as that individual 
crossed the yard on the way to the cow-shed, — and 
Edah looked in questioning surprise at the nurse. 

She could see Marie was plainly agitated, as she 
bent low over the baby in order to hide her face 
from Edah’s close scrutiny. 

Marie’s heart sank and she felt as if the end of 
things had come — but she managed to say rather care- 
lessly, “perhaps he took them and returned — intend- 
ing to go back later.” 

Edah knew all this was not in keeping with his 
nature — “ he was not much of a ‘ picnicker ’ when 
he had work to do — besides why should Marie look 
so disconcerted?” 

“ Somehow she had scented a mystery all along — 
now she was sure there was something they were 
keeping from her.” 

She sat silent while Marie finished with the baby 
and put the room in order. 

As the day wore away Edah lay with wide-open 
eyes — a bright spot of pink on either cheek. 

Marie knew the signs of inward perturbation in 
her friend and it added to her own feelings of deep 
concern — perplexity — and anxious fear. 

“Oh! how fervently she wished James Maxwell 
would get his just deserts — and that she might be 
there to gloat over it ! ” 

When along toward six o’clock Edah heard the 
children’s voices in the yard she called to Marie, who 
was moving about in the adjoining room, to send 
Robert to her. 


286 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Marie obeyed with a sinking heart. 

The boy came running up to his mother — joy and 
happiness radiating from his bright face. 

Edah gave a searching glance into his straightfor- 
ward eyes before asking him to tell her about the 
day’s happenings. 

He was bursting to tell and needed no second in- 
vitation. 

“ Oh, mothey ! you can’t guess ! — we went to the 
river and I caught two fish ! ” tremendously exultant 

“ Why, Robert — how perfectly splendid ! but the 
river is very dangerous, my boy, and Mrs. Johnson 
could hardly be with you all the time you were fishing 
and watch the others too.” 

“ She don’t know how to fish ! ” with much disdain 
— “ I was with Mr. — ” and the boy suddenly stopped 
with an alarmed look on his face which had flushed 
crimson. 

Edah drew him close to her — “ With Mr. — who, 
Robert ? ” 

He buried his face in her neck while she clasped 
him close. 

“ I — I did not mean to tell — he said I mustn’t unless 
you asked me,” came in muffled tones. 

“ Well, Robert dear,” with a terrible sinking feel- 
ing — fearing to hear the obnoxious name — “ mothey 
asks you now.” 

He raised his head and answered frankly — much 
relieved — “ It’s Mr. Maxwell, mothey, and Oh ! we 
had such a good time ! he took us yesterday too ! ” and 
full of his subject his tongue ran on and he laughed 
with glee as he recalled the incidents of the day. In 
sharing them with his mother he lived the delights 
all over again. 

Marie entered to tell Robert Mrs. Johnson wanted 
him to come to his supper — feeling as if she were 
going to her execution. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 287 

Their eyes met : there was a hardness, a sternness 
in Edah’s face which alarmed Marie. 

When Robert had gone she fell on her knees by 
the bed — “ Oh, please — please forgive me for my 
deception — my dearest and best friend! there was 
nothing else left me to do,” with a sob in her throat. 

“ I could not tell you when you were so weak, 
neither could I manage him — and she wound up with a 
concentrated, “ how I hate that man ! ” 

Edah's hand was laid caressingly on her friend’s 
bowed head — “ I know you could not, dear ; you have 
done exactly right. Now, tell me all about it from 

the beginning/’ in a voice she found hard to keep 
steady. 

So Marie began at their first meeting as he stood 
by the table in the dining-room when she was on her 
way to the outside kitchen, and told all that had 
passed under her observation, till she saw him vault 
the low railing of the piazza and disappear. 

“ I think he went to the hotel then for none of us 
saw him after that until yesterday. But he has called 
Mrs. Johnson over the ’phone two or three times a 
day since. If I’d been in her place I wouldn’t have 
answered him ! ” with much emphasis. 

“ I think he’s palavered himself into Lena’s good 
graces, more’s the shame of it ! ” she added hotly. 

Edah continuing silent she went on — “ The last 
time the doctor called he asked if Mr. Maxwell were 
staying here. 

“ I said, no indeed! that we knew nothing of his 
whereabouts.” 

With that she rose to take the baby whose little 
fussing had developed into and out and out cry. 

Edah silently, mechanically, took the little thing 
on her arm. 

The knowledge of that man’s presence had the 


288 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


effect of a crushing blow on the head. She was too 
stunned, almost, to suffer. 

But presently from out her passive inertia there 
came a maddening sting — the lashing of jealousy. 

The thought “ that while she was lying helpless he 
had come to steal away her boy's affe’ctions ” — pene- 
trated every nook and cranny of her being — brain, 
heart, and soul — and it set her on fire with impotent 
rage. 

“ It is not enough that he has ruined my life, — but 
now he must needs come and take the little that is 
left ! " and she burst into passionate weeping. 

Marie was thoroughly alarmed ; she had never be- 
fore — even through all her trials — seen Edah give 
way to tears. 

She knew she was weak and her nerves unstrung 
but that only added to the nurse's fears. 

She put the baby back on its own cot and again 
knelt beside her friend and put her arms about her. 

“Oh 1 — oh — Marie — Marie!" sobbed Edah — “is 
my — my life to be — for — forever blighted by that 
man ? " and she grew almost hysterical. 

By way of reply the sympathetic Marie only clasped 
her the more closely. She was greatly worried and 
anxious — longing to utter some word of comfort but 
she knew not what to say. 

Edah had never taken her into her confidence and all 
she knew was that this man, for whom she had con- 
ceived such an antipathy, was here and could not be 
gotten rid of : that his presence was also hateful to 
Edah, but for some unexplained or unexplainable 
reason she submitted to the intrusion as she had done 
on a former occasion. 

After her first wild outburst of angry weeping had 
partially subsided Edah heard once again — as of a 
voice speaking to her soul — “ We can suffer , may 
even die , but we must do right,” and an agonized 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 289 

prayer ascended on high — “ Help me to bear it dear 
Lord — Help! — Help me to bear — even this!” 

Again and again she prayed the same words. 

Presently something soft and warm spread over 
her hard, icy heart melting it into submissiveness to 
whatsoever was before her — even to the taking of a 
secondary place in her Robert’s loving affections, — 
and the tears like gentle dew from Heaven dropped 
from her closed eyes to the pillow and a peacefulness 
took possession of her being which merged into a 
long and comforting sleep. 

The next morning when Robert came in to see her 
he said, “ Don't you want to see Mr. Maxwell, 
mothey?” without giving her time to reply he went 
on, “ I asked him to come in with me, but he said may- 
be you did not wish to see him. I said of course you 
do, and you do, don’t you mothey?” 

His mother’s lip quivered but she said bravely — 
“ You may tell him to come after a while.” 

As she sat among the pillows — a shade paler than 
on the preceding day — she surprised herself at her 
own calmness. 

She heard his step as he came up on the porch and 
through the outer door — on — on — to where she was 
waiting — but not a tremor of indignation or even of 
excitement assailed her ; — “ her prayer had been more 
than answered.” 

She did not look in his direction till he stood by the 
side of the bed — then she' only raised her eyes as high 
as his collar and lowered them again. 

James Maxwell stood for some moments without 
speaking, gazing down upon her with a tender — 
pleading — almost beseeching look in his yearning eyes. 

He longed to throw himself on his knees at her 
side and cry for forgiveness, but it was not the time 
or place for that. 


290 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


With apparent effort and unsteady voice he man- 
aged to say — “ I have come back — may I stay?” 

In calm, even tones, without looking at him — “ You 
understand the situation — it has not changed.” 

“ I — I thank you more than I can tell — ” huskily. 
After a pause — “ I really did not expect or intend 
to intrude upon you till — later. I wanted to get the 
children away so they — ” 

Edah interrupted coldly — she resented this seem- 
ing blame of Robert — “ It doesn’t matter in the least.” 
“ Is there — anything — I can do for you?” 

Without waiting for her to reply — “ With your 
permission I should like to continue Robert’s lessons.” 
“ As you please,” — she said briefly. 

“ And one other request I would like to make — may 
I teach him to call me Father? ” 

In spite of her efforts a faint pink stole into her 
cheeks, but she answered calmly, coldly — “ Why not ? 
however, please yourself — ” and the interview 
was at an end. 

He left the room with a flood of mingled emotions 
struggling within him— 'prominent among which was 
a keen disappointment that Edah had not offered to 
show him their baby. 

The only thing which seemed to have made any 
impression upon her and which she recalled with a 
mild sort of surprise, was his unusual costume. He 
wore a dark-blue, well-fitting jumper instead of a 
coat — above the neck of which showed a half inch 
of immaculate collar. 

They did not meet again till late one afternoon a 
few days after. 

It had been warm and Edah sat by the outside door 
of her living room, enjoying an occasional puff of 
south wind — and the beloved view of which she had 
been deprived for some time. 

The baby had been restless — Marie said because of 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


291 


the heat — she always had some good reason for the 
little thing's fretfulness and worrying — and Edah had 
it on her lap. 

She alternated her gaze from without to the famil- 
iar, homey objects in the room, as this was her first 
venture beyond the boundaries of her bed-room — and 
she was keenly alive to the enjoyment derived from 
both. 

Presently she heard voices and Robert and James 
Maxwell came around the side of the house — each 
carrying a hammer and the boy's other hand was full 
of nails ; — they were evidently bent on a repairing 
expedition. 

The lad spied his mother and ran up the steps call- 
ing to his companion to follow. 

She lifted her finger in sign of quiet and as she 
did so caught a full view of James Maxwell’s face. 

She was startled at the change — but the next in- 
stant realized what it was ; — the luxuriant blonde 
mustache — the pride of its owner's heart — was 
missing! 

The two came in together and stood silently look- 
ing down upon the sleeping child. 

Robert broke the silence by whispering — “ Isn’t she 
sweet, Mr. — father?” 

With deep feeling and low, he answered — ■“ Very; ” 
at the same time laying his hand on the boy’s shoulder 
and gently guiding him toward the door. 

The action and sight of them together — their 
chumminess, — sent the fierce waves of jealousy again 
rolling over her and it was with difficulty she re- 
strained the bitter tears. 

“ It was hard — oh, so hard ! — to think of another — • 
and that other one him ! — usurping her place in her 
boy's affections ! ” and again she fought a desperate 
battle with herself. 

After repeated struggles she finally arrived. 


292 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


“ Let my precious boy love whomsoever he will, he 
will still be just as dear to me — I can still love him ” 

When she had reached the point that she was will- 
ing to give all and ask for nothing in return, a sweet 
peace took possession of her — a peace such as the 
world knows not of. 

But it did not come to stay permanently for some 
time. 

As a matter of fact James Maxwell never came any- 
where near taking his mother’s place in Robert’s boy- 
ish heart. 

He grew fond of his father but he never was the 
idolized hero in the lad’s eyes that Philip Dempster 
had been. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


293 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

One evening when the baby was something over a 
month old Edah sat holding the little thing in her lap. 

They had just finished with the supper things and 
Marie was in the yard with the other two children — 
Robert having gone walking in the pasture with his 
father. 

The small beds had been brought home and put 
back in their respective places and the little family 
had approximately settled back into its old ways and 
habits. 

James Maxwell had established himself once more 
in his former quarters at the Johnsons' — adding her 
spare bed-room as a part of his suite. 

Upon one thing he was fully resolved; — he would 
refuse to again claim a husband's prerogative when 
suffered by Edah from convictions of right and duty. 

Here he began his new life in earnest. 

Breakfasts and suppers were prepared for him by 
Lena, but he ate the midday meal with Edah and the 
Children. 

His mornings were spent in his study; but as time 
went on his interest in his work began to flag. 

The stabbings, knifings, gorings of the political 
arena no longer claimed his interest or the allegiance 
of his pen. 

He took a larger field for his affiliation — the wide, 
wide world of brothers. 

He was a silent but intensely interested observer 


294 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


of the daily life of one who lived entirely for the good 
and uplift of others. 

On this evening as she sat alone in her low rocker 
in the dining-room with her baby all ready for the 
night asleep in her lap, she gave full rein to the 
thoughts that had been flitting in and out of her mind 
for several days but to which she had been too busy 
— too occupied to give note. 

The baby had been so fretful both day and night 
and now as she gazed down into its small, white face, 
she could not but see how delicate and frail looking 
were those cameo-like features, and something 
clutched her heart as she began to realize that “ she — 
she herself was largely — perhaps altogether to blame 
that her child was not more robust and strong ! ” 

“ Oh, why was I so blind ! ” 

“ Why could not I see the great wrong I was doing 
my unborn child with my constant, continual griev- 
ing ! ” 

“ Dear one, — so handicapped from the start, — 
mothey wishes she could make it all up to you, but 
she never, never can ! ” 

“ If only the guilty could bear all the blame! ” and 
she fairly groaned aloud. 

“ But no, dear heart ! — sweet, innocent and so al- 
together helpless, — this is what your mother has done 
for you ! the one who in all the world should have seen 
to it that you did not lack for anything that she could 
do ! ” and the hot, blinding tears rained over her face. 

She was so engrossed with her self-communings 
that she did not hear some one enter and walk across 
the screened porch till a rap on the open door called 
her attention to a strange woman standing there. 

Edah dried her eyes and bade her come in and be 
seated. 

She could not distinguish her visitor’s features 
through the heavy, black veil she wore, but w r as aware 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 295 

of a pair of large, dark eyes that looked at her with 
peculiar intensity. 

The woman seated herself in the chair indicated 
and nervously shifted the bundle she carried from one 
position to another. 

Edah waited for her to make known her errand, 
but as she did not speak, and noting her evident nerv- 
ousness she asked gently — “ Did you wish to see me 
about something ?" 

“ Yes/' hurriedly and low — “ they told me you'd 
take my baby." 

Edah fairly gasped ; — “ Was that a baby she was 
handling in such a manner ! " 

But she only said — “Your baby?" 

“ Yes." 

“ Oh, you don’t want to give your dear baby away ! " 
with the horror in her voice she could not repress. 

“ Yes I do ! — I hate it ! ” 

“ Please, please don’t do it. After a while you’ll 
love it and it will love you, Oh ! so much, and be such 
a comfort in your life : indeed, indeed it will ! ’’ 

“ They told me you’d take it — ’’ she reiterated 
stubbornly. 

“ I have my own dear, sweet little baby, wouldn’t 
you like to see her?" and she arose and carried the 
sleeping infant, lovingly, for the woman’s inspection ; 
— but that individual only gave it half a glance and 
turned her head away. 

Edah passed on into the bed-room and gently de- 
posited the sleeping baby on its cot, wondering what 
more she could say to avert the on-coming catastrophe. 

She had seen no signs of softening in the unnat- 
ural mother and her heart was heavy with other 
troubles besides those of her own. 

When she came back she lifted the queer, silent, 
little bundle out of the stranger’s lap. Unwrapping 
it she beheld a plump, dark-skinned baby with a shock 


296 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


of black hair; although as large as her own it was 
evidently not more than two weeks’ old. 

She clasped it close to her bosom, murmuring words 
of love — but the action elicited no response from the 
child’s mother. 

Again seating herself with the little one in her 
arms she began once more her pleadings that she 
would not abandon her child. 

She felt all her arguments must be along the side 
of her affections — for she did not think any appeal 
for righteousness’ sake would make the slightest im- 
pression. 

“ Let me tell you, for I know, Oh ! so well, the joy 
and happiness this dear, little one will bring you if 
you only seek to be a true and faithful mother. He 
will make up for all the sorrow and wrong of it.” 

“ I hate the sight of the little brat and I’ll throw 
it into the river if you don’t take it ! ” uttered with 
fierce energy. 

Edah felt that urging was useless and she sat quiet 
a few moments while she rapidly considered what 
must be done. 

To gain time she irrelevantly asked, “What is its 
name? ” 

“ He hasn’t any name, — ” rising as she spoke and 
glancing in the direction of the door as if she con- 
templated a hasty exit. 

Another short period of silence which was evi- 
dently torture to the impatient woman and Edah 
said slowly, “ I’ll take your baby and I’ll love it, too, 
and do all the things for it a mother should, and 
perhaps some day you will feel differently about it 
and then — ” 

The last words, however, were lost upon her 
visitor for she was already in full retreat. 

Edah sat with the evidently doped baby in her lap 
- — feeling already something of the weight of this 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


297 

new burden of responsibility and wondering — “ did 
I do right under the circumstances ? ” 

“ Perhaps she really would not have carried out 
her threat, had I refused to take the child off her 
hands.” 

But the memory of those fierce, hard eyes behind 
the dark veil made her glad she had not trusted her. 

And a great wave of sorrowful pity went out to 
this poor sister who was in such desperate straits. 

One earnest, apealing cry to Heaven for help and 
from thenceforward her decision had the endorsement 
of her own self-approval. 

Away — away down in her soul, she dared to hope 
“ this act of hers might in some way atone for the 
criminally, thoughtless wrong done her own innocent 
offspring, and that God would for once hold in abey- 
ance His law in the Natural and Spiritual worlds — 
“ Whatsoever one soweth that shall he also reap.” 

Marie entered with Mildred and Billy — the latter 
going to his mother’s side and laying his cheek against 
her arm. 

Edah patted the dear, little tow head — ‘ k Is Billy 
tired? kiss mothey and Marie will soon have you in 
your little bed.” 

Giving each child a good-night caress they were 
soon splashing about in the bath and ere long were 
put in two, clean, white beds, to rest and sleep and 
grow — in their normal perfect health. 

Marie was too dazed for words when she dis- 
covered the baby quietly sleeping in its little cot, for 
in the dusk of the room she was sure she had noticed 
Edah holding it as they passed through. 

Hastening out she almost gasped as she saw Edah 
still sitting in the twilight and there was no mistaking 
the fact that she was holding a baby. 

“ What — whatever have you got!” she ejaculated. 

“ It’s baby’s twin brother,” laughed Edah, a trifle 


298 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


hysterically, but she hurried on to say, “ did you see 
a tall, young woman wearing a black veil? she left 
just a few moments before you came in with the 
children.” 

“ Yes — we were coming in the gate as she was go- 
ing out. Why, what of her? you don't mean — ” as 
a sudden light dawned upon her. 

“ Yes,” said Edah. 

For once Marie was too full of indignation to re- 
main silent. There had been something about the 
woman that had impressed her unfavorably as they 
met and passed without her having responded to 
Marie’s cheerful, “ Good-evening.” 

“ You don’t mean to say you let that miserable 
creature impose upon you? the mean, unnatural 
wretch — she is a disgrace to her kind ! ” and Marie 
paused, angry through and through. 

She had been possessed with a feeling she could 
not shake off that “ Edah was going to have plenty 
to do for the next year in bringing her own frail 
little one past that perilous time, and now to have 
another on her hands — an alien and an outcast at 
that ! it was too much to remain tranquil under.” 

“ The little thing’s life was in jeopardy — and you 
know perfectly well you would have done the same 
thing yourself had you been in my place,” uttered 
very quietly but also very decidedly. 

Marie knew that any further remonstrance would 
be useless and she turned to make a light. 

Robert and his father had entered the room dur- 
ing this conversation and Edah now turned to her 
boy, asking, “Would you like to see your new 
brother?” at the same time throwing back the light 
covering which enfolded it. 

All but James Maxwell gathered around and gazed 
curiously down on the soundly sleeping child. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


299 

“ He isn’t pretty like little sister — I don’t think 
much of it,” answered the boy. 

Ignoring the unfavorable comment — “ What shall 
we call him — do you like Charles ? ” 

“I think Tim is lots nicer.” 

Edah wondered where he could have heard the 
name but she only said — “ Yes, we’ll call him Tim,” 
so Tim he was from that time on. 

James Maxwell had stood with his back firmly 
against the door-jamb radiating silent disapprobation 
from every pore. 

He had lifted one hand to pull his mustache as was 
his wont when perplexed — but that solace being de- 
nied him he folded his arms across his breast in his 
most unapproachable manner. 

He was heartily in sympathy with Marie’s view of 
the matter and it proved their one point of touch — a 
bond of sympathy — a unit of feeling — which had the 
efifect later on of making a friend and ally of Edah’s 
nurse. 

Edah felt she was alone in this matter, but she was 
used to deciding things for herself and it did not 
much trouble her; — so long as she did not have to 
quarrel with herself she felt pretty comfortable. 

The two women busied themselves in trying to 
waken the tiny sleeper and Robert for the first time, 
and at his most urgent request, had the companion- 
ship of his father while he made ready for bed. 

Some time after, Marie, who was of an investigat- 
ing turn, with Jack’s assistance, run down the mys- 
tery of Tim’s appearance. 

It seems the mother was a wild and wayward girl 
belonging to a most respected family in a neighboring 
town and the father was a practicing physician of the 
same place. He had heard of Edah and as Jack said 
“ put the girl wise ” to the possibility of help from 
that quarter. 


300 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

The days that followed were busy ones. 

The family at “ Castle Industrie ” were going 
through another readjustment. 

The advent of the twin and the departure of the 
nurse were the main causes for the disturbance. 

Marie had demurred and resisted in her capacity 
as friend, against leaving, till Edah agreed to a com- 
promise. 

Hattie, Marie’s sister should come and take her 
place as far as possible while the nurse went back to 
her life in the village among the poor who were sadly 
in need of her services ; and at the same time it was 
planned that she — Hattie — should help her sister in 
her labors and get some practical knowledge in order 
to take the place to be made vacant by Marie’s mar- 
raige to Jack in the Fall. 

Edah’s life was so busy — so full of detail work — 
that few opportunities presented themselves wherein 
her mind might soar; a state of things she had always 
contended was more than detrimental to the soul, 
which longed and starved for spiritual food as the 
body for its nourishment. 

But she contented herself with the thought, “ that 
when the babies were a few months older and had be- 
come habituated to their environment, things would 
be easier.” 

Tim — “the small robber,” as Edah called him — had 
been relegated to a partial diet of Beauty’s milk with- 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 301 

out the slightest detriment to his life, happiness or 
sanguinity of temperament. 

James Maxwell spent his early evenings in EdalTs 
pleasant sitting-room — offering his services as reader, 
or to be ready to do so if the opportunity presented 
itself, which was not often — for if one baby did not 
fuss the other one would — sometimes both in unison. 

He put forth every effort to win EdalTs love — and 
at the same time was desperately in need of an en- 
couraging word himself. 

’Twas an absolutely complete change of life under 
which he was living and there were times when con- 
ditions became almost unbearable ; his former life 
called with the lure of the siren or in trumpet tones 
of the habits of years, and even his abounding love 
for a woman who gave him only averted glances and 
cold indifference in return — was poor compensation. 

But such feelings would pass ; — he knew the old 
life could no longer satisfy. Then he would plunge 
into his literary work with renewed energy. 

Of late he was becoming tremendously interested in 
intensive farming and was reading everything to be 
had on the subject. 

He found he had at last touched a responsive chord 
in EdalTs mechanism, and what reading was done 
after that was upon those lines. 

One morning when Edah had been moving about 
with the direction and intensity of a small-sized 
whirlwind, James Maxwell came into the yard where 
she was putting some fresh, white washing on the 
line. In his hand he carried a roll of white paper. 

“ Have you a few moments to spare? I have some- 
thing about which I would like your advice. ” 

“ Presently,” as she went on with her work. 

He stood watching the quick, deft motions, as with 
bared, rounded arms and flexible, busy hands she 
transferred the contents of the basket to the line. 


3 02 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


He had been very impatient — he had even waxed 
wroth inwardly — when Edah had quietly dismissed 
Hattie to acquire what practical knowledge of nurs- 
ing she could in such short time, except for her two 
busiest days of the week only. 

He stood watching till the last piece was gently 
fluttering in the breeze then together they walked into 
the house carrying the basket between them. 

Side by side they stood by the table while he 
spread his drawings out before her. 

“You see, I’m contemplating building a suite of 
rooms for myself — and the question is — where ?” 
and he looked longingly — searchingly, into her face 
for something that was not there. 

Edah gazed silently down at the plans so beauti- 
fully worked out ; then noting the directions marked, 
said with the faintest suspicion of a smile hovering 
about her lips — “ I see — you would like permission to 
use my garden for a building spot ! ” 

“ That’s about it,” he replied amusedly — feeling 
a sudden lightness of heart at that tiny, fleeting smile. 

“You’ll hardly be building before Fall? it’s — it’s 
such a pity to sacrifice the garden now,” she faltered. 

“Well — yes — I was thinking about beginning at 
once. What compensation do you ask?” trying in 
vain to look into her eyes. 

A sudden outcry was borne to their ears ; — Edah 
hastily replied, “ It is the only available place — do as 
you like,” and hastened in the direction of the cry — 
her own darling baby she knew only too well. 

She had adopted the plan of putting one baby to 
sleep in one room and one in another — so one might 
not disturb the other with its cries. 

Tim was impervious to all sound when once fast 
asleep, so he shared the living-room with the family. 

James Maxwell took Edah at her word and did as 
he liked in the matter of building and before long the 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


303 


back yard was full of busy workmen and building 
material, to the infinite delight of Robert, Mildred and 
Billy. 

The former was very good at herding the two 
younger children out of danger's way — and it proved 
to be a great boon to Edah because of the children's 
diversion. 

Going into the yard one day she was surprised at 
seeing a quantity of glazed sash being unloaded. 

“ He must be going to build a hot-bed — queer he 
did not mention it." 

James Maxwell had been directing the placing of it 
as he and Robert stood together near where the men 
were at work. 

Glancing up as she drew near he caught her won- 
dering look. 

“ It was an after-thought — the green house on the 
south end. It is for you — I hope you will like it " — 
in low tones meant for her ear alone. “ You see 
there is to be a glass door between it and the library," 
he explained. 

Edah's face lighted up and a radiant glow over- 
spread it — for an instant only — the next it had died 
away leaving a dull, indifferent look in its place. 

“ I have hardly time for any such thing," she re- 
plied coldly. 

She felt, rather than saw his keen disappointment 
and her heart smote her. It was not in her nature 
to wish to hurt anyone. 

“ I — I thought perhaps you might like to grow 
flowers for the sick and — the dead," in an unsteady 
voice as he turned to go back to Robert's side. 

“Yes, Oh, yes! I would — , thank you very much," 
came the words hurriedly and low, with evident con- 
fusion. 

With quickened pulses he faced about — “Edah!" 


304 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


but the swish of her dress as she passed through the 
screen door was the only reply he received. 

She had not heard his word of entreaty but she 
entered the house feeling strangely exalted. 

“ Yes, it would be so lovely to be able to grow the 
sweet and simple flowers that she had so often wished 
to send to those in trouble, but had never been able 
to do so — there being no green-house nearer than the 
neighboring city — besides hot-house flowers were ex- 
pensive.” 

She did not stop to analyze the reason why the 
work that day seemed so easy — why the hours flew 
so swiftly by — why she seemed to move on winged 
feet — ! she simply enjoyed the sensation, so long a 
stranger to her — and did not seek an explanation. 

After this day “ on the heights ” there followed 
in quick succession many of an obverse nature, and 
James Maxwell had no opportunity in which to fol- 
low up the little vantage ground that had been vouch- 
safed him. 

Mildred had eaten some green fruit and was sick 
a few days and Tim was feverish and cross and Edah 
began to think she was running a hospital and com- 
bined in her own person head nurse, consulting phy- 
sician, resident doctor and full staff of internes. 

But that strenuous time was now safely passed 
and she was standing one afternoon by the table with 
some mending in her hand — she rarely had time to 
sit and sew — when a great outcry arose in the back 
yard. 

James Maxwell looked up from the book he was 
reading. “ Was that an Indian war-whoop or only a 
good imitation ? ” 

“ IBs just Mildred,” sighed Edah. “ She has been 
easily upset ever since she was sick,” and she started 
on double-quick for the scene of action. 

Mildred had been trying to catch one of “ old 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


305 


Muffy’s ” little chicks and the mother hen had flown 
at her with feathers and temper very much ruffled 
terrifying even venturesome Mildred into fear-laden 
shrieks. 

When she was quieted and admonished as to future 
conduct and Billy, who had raised a sympathetic wail, 
had been comforted and soothed Edah’s ears caught 
a sound of weeping indoors. 

She did not hasten, knowing it was only “ husky 
Tim,” and a little crying more or less did not matter. 

Robert claimed her attention while he explained 
some work he was engaged in with hammer and saw. 

“ When I'm a man, mothey, I’m going to be a car- 
penter and build houses.” 

She looked lovingly down into the up-turned face — 
“ I hope with all my heart you will, Robert — ” and 
she moved on into the house. 

All was quiet within and she supposed Tim had 
gone off to sleep again. 

What was her surprise — amazement — to see James 
Maxwell holding Tim in his arms ! 

The first time, to her knowledge, he had ever even 
looked at him. 

Considerably disconcerted, that gentleman in a 
serio-comic voice hastened to say — “ I fear I’m about 
to be translated : fatty degeneration of the heart, 
don’t you know — that organ seems to be assuming 
such proportions ! ” 

Edah stepped quickly over to the table, with her 
back to the speaker and began overturning the things 
in her work-basket as if searching for the most im- 
perative bit of me’nding. 

She could think of no ready reply so remained 
silent, endeavoring to regain her composure. 

Tim, very much pleased with himself and quite 
happy once more was industriously sucking his thumb. 

He was quietly deposited on one end of the lounge 


3°6 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


to finish his meditations and reflections from that van- 
tage point while James Maxwell seated himself at the 
other. 

“ Do you know I’ve been thinking husbands are 
not of much use in your economy of life.” 

Edah — still with her back to him and a piece of 
work in her hand — “ I, — I think they might be great 
in thd capacity of an advisory board ! ” and she bent 
her head lower while she vaguely wondered if the 
back of her neck were red. 

“ Even that honorable and important office could 
hardly test the full powers of many/’ in a voice that 
caused his listener to meditate instant flight. “ Be- 
sides do you know a good many husbands have souls, 
although I will admit they do not always show it.” 

Rising as he spoke he came to where she was stand- 
ing and taking from his pocket a small morocco-bound 
book held it out to her saying in a light tone which 
belied the look in his eyes — but which Edah, with her 
own persistently bent upon her work did not see — 
“ Here is something for your perusal ” — adding — “ it 
is a short, concise history of my deviations from the 
path of rectitude.” 

She had reached out for the book, but ere he 
finished speaking it had fallen from her fingers to 
the floor. 

Hurt and humiliated — remembering that time when 
he had accused her of trying to force just such a 
confession — but above all else she was angry through 
and through. 

When able to command her voice — 

“ I refuse to read it or even touch it,” and she in- 
dignantly left the room. 

James Maxwell stooped and picked up the offending 
book and replaced it in his pocket — surprised and 
very much grieved over the incident ; really not dream- 
ing that this honest confession which he had with so 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


307 


much shame and humiliation put into writing could 
not but touch her heart, — even if it did not bring the 
forgiveness he craved. 

As he walked away he inwardly cursed himself for 
a “Fool!” — “a blundering, tactless idiot!” feeling 
that he had only succeeded in widening the breach be- 
tween them when this honest attempt had been just 
the opposite. 

Sadly he wandered in search of Robert to find com- 
fort and solace in their mutual love. 

That night he did not go in as was his habit to 
see if he might read aloud or be of any assistance — 
but remained out in the dusk with Robert till the 
latter’s mother called him in. 

He had intended going straight to his room, but 
the child’s pleading — “Aren’t you coming, father?” 
changed that plan, and they had their customary little 
whispered chat while preparations for bed went for- 
ward. 

He often sat late in his study, reading — writing — 
thinking. 

To-night he was absorbed in bitter reflections. 

He did not often give himself over to deep and un- 
availing regrets — it was not his nature — but this was 
one of the times. 

The manner in which his humiliating confession had 
been received still smarted and rankled. 

Forty demons leered and mocked him! 

The habits of years lured and tempted him ! 

The “ flesh pots ” of the world were calling ! 

He gripped himself with his iron will; — he dared 
not let go. 

He brought his memory to bear upon that other 
time when he had tried to run away — to go back to 
former things. How everything palled! 

Nothing was the same as before this transforming, 
regenerating love' had taken possession of him — be- 


3°8 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


fore these new and higher things had entered into 
his life. 

Complete shipwreck would be his did he but try it 
again, that he well knew. 

He arose and walked the length of his two rooms — 
stopping at his bed-room window. 

All was dark where Edah slept. 

“Yes, she could sleep!” 

“ There was no consuming — unrequited love keep- 
ing her awake to suffer the totures of the damned ! ” 

His heart smote him for the thought. Well he 
knew she had passed many a sleepless night and he 
recalled with bitterest shame his share in those re- 
morseful sufferings. 

He had also learned through Lena Johnson, by 
most careful, adroit and diplomatic questionings at 
various times, — the history, so far as she knew it, of 
Edah’s and Philip’s love and her deep gloom over 
their separation. 

Presently one of the babies cried — then a faint ray 
of light was visible as Edah removed something that 
had been screening the small glow lamp. 

He could discern her shadowy outline as she moved 
about the room. 

He knew she was up with one or other many times 
during the night — generally with their own delicate 
baby ; — he had learned to differentiate the cries. 

Then something took place within his heart like the 
sudden breaking up of an ice floe by a warm freshet. 

“ Such loving, faithful, tender devotion as hers was 
enough to melt a heart of stone.” 

He' brushed his hand across his eyes and made 
ready for bed. 

James Maxwell absented himself from “ Castle 
Industrie 99 for several days — keeping to his own 
quarters only when looking after the progress of his 
building and affairs about the place. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


309 


Although still angry Edah was surprised at the way 
she missed him — but she wouldn’t allow even to her- 
self that it was anything more than that she was 
used to seeing him sit by the lamp with his book while 
she passed in and out attending to the two babies or 
sat sewing. 

But soon all such thoughts were laid aside. 

The dear, precious bit of humanity — her “ Flower 
Baby ” — was taken suddenly very ill during the night. 

When morning came Edah — with a nameless terror 
gripping her — sent at once for Marie. 

She met her at the door — wide-eyed and pale — her 
features set in a fixed despair. 

“ It has come — Marie — ” she whispered — “ the 
thing I’ve always feared since I first saw my baby.” 

“ You mustn't give up like this,” said her friend 
softly, fondly caressing Edah’s hand — ■“ you know 
yourself, if you stop to think, how desperately ill a 
baby can get and yet recover.” 

For answer Edah drew her to the baby’s cot, and 
as the nurse looked down on that pale, white form 
and waxen features there was not much of hope left 
in her own breast. 

Although so despairing, Edah, with the doctor’s aid, 
worked intelligently — unceasingly — to make ground- 
less her own fears. 

Marie moved out the children’s beds into the liv- 
ing-room and took charge of the household — James 
Maxwell and Lena doing all in their power to assist. 

But not once did Edah relinquish her post by the 
side of her sick baby. 

Hope and despair alternated for days — the latter 
predominating — until the days lengthened into a week. 

“ She has held on this long ” — said Marie going into 
the room after a night of unusual suffering which had 
given place to favorable symptoms toward morning — 
“ and she may yet be able to throw it off.” 


3 xo 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


But Edah only shook her head ; — hope was running 
very low with her. 

Two or three times the flames of life flickered and 
almost went out, but each time it seemed as if Edah’s 
great love' conserved that feeble spark and held back 
from death her child. 

But it was not to be. 

After those days and nights of anxious watching it 
came — the thing she had feared and dreaded and hoped 
against ! 

Like David of old who when told his child was dead 
arose from the ashes of his mourning and fasting — 
acquiescing in the decrees of God, — so Edah bowed 
her head in meek submission. 

Marie coming into the room in the gray dawn, saw 
Edah washing and dressing the little white figure. 

One glance told all. 

“ Why — why didn’t you call me? ” with a burst of 
tears and a feeling of compunction and self-reproach 
as she saw the calm mother tenderly making her darl- 
ing ready for its last sleep. 

Edah turned her head and looked up at her — then 
putting an arm about Marie’s neck she drew her down 
and kissed her tear-stained cheek. 

“ It’s all right Marie — I did not need you — ‘ It is 
well with the child/ ” — looking down upon the quiet, 
peaceful features. “ ‘ She will not return to me — but 
I shall go to her/ ” 

Marie, with tears blinding her eyes and falling down 
over her cheeks moved swiftly and silently about — • 
arranging the room — clearing away all traces of sick- 
ness and making everything clean and tidy. 

Edah rose and laid the tiny, white waxen form on 
its fresh, clean cot and went into the other room. 

Returning with a book, paper and pencil, she raised 
the curtain of the south window, letting in the early 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


3 ” 

rays of morning light and seated herself by the table 
while she wrote. 

Folding and putting the paper within the book she 
handed it to Marie. 

“ Give this to Mr. Maxwell, please. Now, I’ll 
sleep.” 

It was all so very mournful — so pathetic — Marie 
could scarcely keep her sympathetic grief within 
bounds. 

“ Let me — m-make you — a cup of tea or bring — 
some milk — first.” 

“ No, thank you — I’ll have it later. Waken me at 
four please.” 

’Twas calm and still that late afternoon in early 
Fall when they laid the Baby in her last little bed — 
to sleep the sleep that no pain could ever more dis- 
turb. 

They had dug the small grave in the side yard by 
the Rose of Sharon bush, where its branches would 
gently wave above it with every passing breeze and 
where its blossoms would sprinkle the low mound the 
long summer through. 

At the hour designated Marie had tapped lightly at 
her door. 

Edah, roused from her heavy sleep, sat up and 
gazed about her in a dazed way. 

tier eyes fell on the quiet form of her baby and a 
dull heaviness gripped her. 

She hastily arose, dressed, and ate some of the lunch 
the nurse had brought : then tenderly lifting her baby — 
so cold and still — clasped it in a last loving embrace 
and carried it out into the other room and gently laid 
it in the small white casket her husband had ordered. 

The basket with its lining of leaves and winding- 
sheet which she had suggested seemed too unspeak- 
ably awful to him. 


312 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Then turning about she lifted Tim, the little waif, 
out of the arms of the nurse and moved on out to the 
waiting chair at the head of the grave. 

Lena Johnson offered to hold the little fellow but 
Edah only shook her head, casting her eyes about 
anxiously for Robert : remembering that she had not 
seen — even thought of him for — “ how long was it 
since morning? ” 

Mechanically she seated herself and put her arm 
about her boy who had left his father’s side when he 
saw his mother coming. 

Marie stood on her other side holding Billy’s child- 
ish hand, while Mildred vibrated back and forth 
betv/een her mother and Mrs. Johnson, looking un- 
comprehendingly with her large, round, blue eyes and 
thinking it all something gotten up for her entertain- 
ment. 

Peacefully sleeping on her breast the little cast- 
away lay, all unconscious of the deep anguish of the 
heart so very near its head. 

James Maxwell carried out the small burden and 
handed it to Eric Johnson who stood in the excava- 
tion waiting to receive it. 

Reverently placing the tiny casket in the open re- 
ceptacle he adjusted the cover, climbed out and stood 
leaning on his spade. 

James Maxwell ope'ned the book he held in his 
hand — the one Edah had requested Marie to give him. 

In low, deep, trembling tones he began — 

“ There is a Reaper whose name is Death ” — but 
ere he finished the lines of the stanza, his voice grew 
so husky, long pauses were necessary to enable him to 
proceed. 

Edah’s eyes which had been fixed in mute suffering 
on the open grave now glanced in startled surprise at 
her husband. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


3i3 


The sight of his pale ! features stung her with remorse 
at her cruel thoughtlessness in making the request. 

For the first time she realized her grief was his 
also — was mutual. 

“Shall I have naught that is fair?” 
the reader went on 

“ Have naught but the bearded grain ? ” — 

Edah felt that Marie was shaking with silent sobs 
which she was vainly trying to suppress — and there 
was not a dry eye among the little group of Marie’s 
and Edah’s friends who were standing somewhat 
back — filled with awe at this unusual burial. 

“ Though the breath of these flowers is sweet to me” — 

pause — 


“ I will give them all back again.” 

With a great effort he struggled on — 

“ They shall all bloom in fields of light 
Transplanted by my care” — (Pause) 

“ And saints upon their garments white, 

These sacred blossoms wear.” 

He could go no further. 

With difficulty he faltered through the last few 
words of Edah’s writing — “ The memorial of these 
my little ones shall be had in my everlasting remem- 
brance saith the Holy One and Good.” 

He closed the book and looked up. 

Their eyes met. 

In his, now deep and dark with feeling, she read 
the signs of suffering and in her brown ones — inex- 


3*4 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


pressibly sad and troubled — he saw a “ look of pity 
that is akin to love.” 

In his heart of hearts he treasured that look and 
took hope that the day would come when, in the very 
highest sense of the word, they two would really and 
truly be one. 

She — looking across the dark and forbidding hole 
in the ground — over and beyond the leafy branches 
of the trees about her, far away into space — with in- 
effable peace shining in her face saw of the travail of 
her soul and was satisfied. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


315 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

At last the suite of rooms was finished and James 
Maxwell, assisted by Eric Johnson had been busy the 
greater part of the day unpacking and placing the 
furniture which had been shipped from his apart- 
ments in his sister’s home. 

When the last book had been placed he gave a close 
scrutiny about the several rooms which seemed to 
give satisfaction and went at once to fetch Edah. 

He found her sitting with the younger children and 
Hattie, who was enjoying one of her half-holidays at 
“ Castle Industrie ” where she loved to come for a 
breathing spell. Nursing did not come easy to her 
now that she had the full responsibility. 

Edah smiled up at him — “ How goes it? can’t you 
take time to join us?” 

“ I am happy to inform you we are all through ! — 
don’t you want to come and have a look? ” 

Edah rose and catching up her red sweater threw 
it over her shoulders, and tied the sleeves of it about 
her neck as she walked by his side. 

The house was now heated from the plant put in 
the new building — the green-house making the instal- 
ment almost a necessity. 

Her old, comfortable base-burner had been sent to 
do duty in Philip’s Memorial. Where Marie and Jack 
held sway. 

As they passed through the yard Edah stopped to 
say a few words to Robert who was helping Mr. 
Johnson clear away the packing debris. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


3 l6 

James Maxwell led the way into his library from 
the side entrance through a door whose upper part 
was glass to take the place of an East window. A 
similar door opened into the plant-house on the South. 

On the West a broad window gave light and ven- 
tilation from that side. 

The walls were lined with his books in their built-in 
cases, with the exception of the one on the North 
which was broken by a door into the bath, which 
separated this room from his sleeping apartment, and 
next to which he had placed his large desk conven- 
iently near to the broad West window. 

Edah carelessly dropped her sweater over the back 
of his office chair as she followed him on a tour of 
inspection. 

“ I see Lena’s services have been called into requisi- 
tion — ” as she noted the bed made up with its spotless 
linen and counterpane. 

“ Oh, yes — she seemed tremendously happy, — per- 
haps at the idea of getting rid of me!” he added 
humorously. 

Edah hastened to say, “ Aren’t these windows sim- 
ply splendid ? ” glancing first toward the west out 
over the newly acquired ten-acre plot James Max- 
well had recently purchased which sloped down to a 
hollow before being absorbed by the hills and fields 
beyond. 

From the East window she looked into the door- 
yard and faced Robert’s work-shop. 

Finally her gaze rested on the view presented by the 
North window which was recessed between his two 
closets and buttressed by a cushioned seat with many 
attractive pillows. 

“ I’m glad I did not leave out that view ! ” his words 
evidencing some discussion of the matter either with 
himself or Edah. 

“ Isn’t it beautiful? ” she murmured. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


3i7 


“ More than soul-satisfying ! ” and his face ex- 
panded into a broad smile — showing his white, even 
teeth. 

Edah laughed too, for she understood his heartfelt 
remark had reference to his flock of snow-white 
Wyandottes silhoutted against the emerald back- 
ground of Beauty’s private domain, and not to the 
squares and parallelograms of freshly-turned, rich, 
brown earth alternating with acres of autumn-colored 
corn and alfalfa fields of living green, on the upland, 
beyond the silvery little stream with its outline of trees 
winding its way through the hollow between. 

He had gone into poultry raising with an enthusiasm 
which bade fair to rival his interest in intensive farm- 
ing- 

As they walked back into the library — “ You like 
the views from the windows but you have not yet 
said what you think of my domicile ; ” questioning 
more closely with his keen, blue eyes than with his 
words. 

She paused before replying — glancing slowly about 
the room — “ It — is — so — luxurious.” 

Still regarding her very intently — “ They are only 
inanimate objects and as such cannot have any moral 
value. “ ’Tis only the wrong use of right things which 
harms.” 

Turning rather abruptly he began searching for 
something among his papers and letters in the various 
. compartments and pigeon-holes of his desk. 

Had he been less preoccupied he might have seen 
that Edah was strangely agitated. 

She had begun to feel faint and sick, as memory, 
at sight of these remembered belongings run the gamut 
of her varied emotions from that intoxicating night 
when first she saw the interior of James Maxwell’s 
apartments — down — up — through all the intermediate 
shades, until the present time. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


318 

She moved on down into the plant-house scarcely 
knowing whither she went. 

But she suddenly became aware of a transforma- 
tion there. 

Instead of her few plants potted by her own 
hands — she found herself amid a small-sized jungle 
of graceful palms and flowing ferns, — many new 
plants in bloom and more giving promise. 

Without stopping for a minute examination she 
turned about and hastily retraced her steps. 

James Maxwell was awaiting her. 

“ How good of you ! " extending her hand and 
smiling through unshed tears — “ but however did you 
manage to escape my eye ? ” 

Their hands had not touched since that memorable 
Sunday afternoon when he had said good-bye to 
her — as he thought — forever. 

Now his fingers closed over hers with a warm, firm 
clasp as if they never meant to loosen — while he looked 
into her eyes with a steady, searching gaze which she 
found most uncomfortable to face, all the while being 
conscious of the blood slowly mounting to her 
temples. 

“ It was difficult I grant you ; — the wagon has been 
standing in the lee of Eric's barn the greater part of 
the day, and if it had not been for Hattie's opportune 
arrival, would be there yet, I suppose," leading her to 
his roomy lounge as he spoke. 

He seated himself by her side and for the first time 
Edah noticed he held in his other hand the same small, 
morocco-bound book which had occasioned so much 
unpleasantness only a few short weeks before. 

With a great sinking of the heart she heard him 
say in tones almost compelling as he opened the 
book — “ Will you read it aloud to me or shall I read 
it to you? " 

“ Oh, neither — neither! if it must be read together — 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


319 


let it be done silently/’ in an almost inaudible voice. 

With eyes full of horror — at times blinded by tears — - 
she read till he had turned a few pages. 

“ Must I go on ? ” she faltered. 

In a hard, dry voice he commanded, “ Read on!” 

When she entered the narrative, although like the 
others under a fictitious name, she put one hand over 
the page and covered her eyes with the other. 

“ I cannot go on — please, please do not ask it.” 

He closed the book and put it in his breast pocket; 
sorry she had not read to the end for he wanted her 
to know he had not been faithless since their second 
union. 

In low, deep, broken tones — “ Edah — wife — purest 
and best of women — will you — can you — ever forgive 
me? I’m not worthy your loving forgiveness I know, 
but — ” pleadingly — beseechingly — “ I want it above all 
else. 

“Tell me, dearest, that you do forgive;” and he 
buried his head in his hands — elbows resting on his 
knees. 

“Oh, James!” with a sob in her throat — “I — I — 
why, I, myself, am a suppliant for mercy ! let us kneel 
together and ask God to forgive us both.” 

She slipped to her knees by the side of the lounge 
and bowed her beautiful head — he kneeling by her 
side. 

Tremblingly, tearfully, her voice arose in pleading 
supplication. 

“ Our Father which art in Heaven — look down in 
mercy upon Thy penitent children and forgive — Oh, 
forgive ! the sins of their lives. 

“ Make us over new this day. 

“ Lead us ever onward and upward and may we be 
evermore Thy humble, obedient children.” 

“ Amen ” and “ Amen ” — said the woman’s voice 
and man’s. 


320 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


The air about them was tremulous with a holy, 
sanctified peace which settled down upon their waiting 
souls as they remained a while in silent communion. 

When they stood once more, face to face, James 
Maxwell clasped his wife’s two hands in his — those 
busy, ministering hands which he so loved to watch — 
and reverently kissed her pure brow thus sealing their 
new and higher life together. 

With hand clasped in hand they went out into the 
early sunset of the Fall day — comrades, friends for- 
evermore. 

Lena Johnson standing in her kitchen door saw 
them as they were crossing the area-way. 

The slanting beams of the autumn sun transformed 
Edah’s braids into a royal crown and the radiance of 
their happy faces was something more than the reflec- 
tion of the evening’s rosy glow. 

And Lena Johnson saw and was glad. 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


3 21 


CHAPTER XXVII. 

It was Robert’s eighth birthday and his mother had 
made a little unusual preparation for their evening 
meal and he was to carry a few simple cakes and 
toys to some neighboring children who were less 
favored than they — the eldest of whom, about Rob- 
ert’s age, came every weekday to share the hour of 
educational instruction in James Maxwell’s study. 

That part of his education embracing the three 
“ R’s ” was given over to the father — but the chil- 
dren’s religious training — the daily tasks and hourly 
practice of the Golden Rule — was the mother’s privi- 
lege and duty. 

“ Mothey,” said Robert, who had been helping pack 
the small basket, “ May I take Tim with me? ” 

Mildred, who had been an interested onlooker — 
although not invited — shouted, “ Mothey, Mothey, let 
me go too ! ” 

Edah said, replying to her son, “ Yes, Robert dear; 
but you know you will have to go very slowly, for his 
little legs are not so long as yours, and look carefully 
after Sister. 

But it developed before Mildred could leave, a fresh 
dress was necessary to replace the torn frock that had 
itself been perfectly whole a short time before. 

Edah gave a small sigh of resignation. 

It was Mildred’s chronic state to be found with a 
torn frock; — and there flitted through her mind an 
oft-repeated, laughing threat, to make the child’s 
clothes in future out of oil-cloth. 


322 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


Billy had been looking wistfully up into his mother’s 
face while the preparations were going forward — but 
said not a word. 

She gave him a reassuring smile, tenderly patting 
his little tow-head, — “ Yes, precious, you’re going too.” 

Edah never could tell why it was the mechanism of 
her heart seemed to work with a double action when 
Billy was under contemplation. 

Perhaps because there was so much of pity min- 
gled with her love for him aroused by his patient, pa- 
thetic way of accepting whatever came. 

At last the small cavalcade moved off and Edah 
watched them from the door with the love-light shin- 
ing in her eyes. 

Then turning she lifted baby Peggy up out of her 
go-cart and after giving her several endearing squeezes 
and gently poking her in various vulnerable spots to 
elicit the gurgling laugh she so loved to hear, she 
deposited her on one end of the roomy lounge in the 
window recess — drew back the muslin curtains to let 
in all the air that was moving and returned to finish 
up her evening work. 

James Maxwell had urgently requested that the 
fair, dainty, little girl who had come to comfort them 
after “ Flower Baby’s ” death should be called Edah ; — 
but as he said, “ For every day use Peggy would do.” 

As Edah busied herself in the other room she occa- 
sionally glanced in passing the open door, at the small, 
white-robed occupant of the lounge — or paused a 
moment to give heed to her baby’s apostrophe to her 
own two little hands : and as her ears caught the 
sound of the soft, low cooing, she thought it sweeter 
than must have been the music of the spheres in Crea- 
tion’s Dawn when the morning stars sang together for 
joy. 

Beautiful in face and form, healthy in body, happy 
in disposition — she had been begotten in love and 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


323 


nourished in peace, tranquillity and contentment — so 
was endowed from the beginning of her existence 
with the foundations of a personality which should 
be the rightful heritage of every child. 

When the last one of the many duties the evening 
always brought with it was finished, she passed into 
the bath-room, hung her kitchen apron on its accus- 
tomed peg — drew her low rocker into a convenient 
position — gathered together basin, towels, soap and 
night clothes — hastening her preparations, for the 
sound of the sleepy song had grown still. 

Then softly moving through the long bed-room she 
paused in front of the connecting door at the sight 
that met her eves. 

The baby was lying in the abandonment of sleepy 
childhood, each small arm with its closed fist lifted 
on either side its little head, and looking down upon 
the beautiful picture stood her husband. 

Light as had been her step, he felt her presence 
near and without turning his head reached out an arm 
that the next moment encircled the form of the woman 
he loved who nestled close to his side. 

Thus they walked out into the deepening twilight 
to meet at the gate the returning quartette whom dusk 
had almost overtaken. 

“ Mothey," said Robert with evident relief in his 
tones — “ Tim cried because he was afraid of the dark. 
I believe he thought we was lost " — uttered with much 
scorn — “ but I knew we wasn't ! " 

At Robert's recital, recollections of his troubles 
overcame him and Tim again lifted up his voice in loud 
lamentations. 

Edah stooped and gathered him in her arms and 
snuggled his tear-stained face in her neck, murmur- 
ing, “ Poor tired baby — tired little fellow," as she led 
the way into the house, Billy clinging to her skirts. 


324 


THE STORY OF EDAH. 


James Maxwell followed clasping a hand each of 
Mildred and Robert. 

The stars from out their fathomless depths beamed 
softly down through the still summer night in tender 
benedictions upon this humble home so full of work 
and happiness. 


THE END. 















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